Loop-nodal and Point-nodal Semimetals in Three-dimensional Honeycomb Lattices

Abstract

Honeycomb structure has a natural extension to the three dimensions. Simple examples are hyperhoneycomb and stripy-honeycomb lattices, which are realized in $\beta $-Li$_{2}$IrO$_{3}$ and $\gamma $-Li$_{2}$IrO$_{3}$, respectively. We propose a wide class of three-dimensional (3D) honeycomb lattices which are loop-nodal semimetals. Their edge states have intriguing properties similar to the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice in spite of dimensional difference. Partial flat bands emerge at the zigzag or beard edge of the 3D honeycomb lattice, whose boundary is given by the Fermi loop in the bulk spectrum. Analytic solutions are explicitly constructed for them. On the other hand, perfect flat bands emerge in the zigzag-beard edge or when the anisotropy is large. All these 3D honeycomb lattices become strong topological insulators with the inclusion of the spin-orbit interaction. Furthermore, point-nodal semimetals may be realized in the presence of both the antiferromagnetic order and the spin-orbit interaction.