Nodal-line semimetal superlattices

Abstract

Spatial modulations, such as multilayers, to realize topological materials have recently been studied in theoretical and experimental works. In this paper, we investigate properties of the multilayers of the nodal-line semimetal (NLS) and the normal insulator. We consider two types of multilayers, with the stacking direction being perpendicular or parallel to the plane where the nodal line lies. In particular, we show that when the stacking direction is parallel to the plane, the nodal lines remain but they change their shapes because of the folding of the Brillouin zone. We also study the multilayers with magnetization. One can expect that the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) phase emerges in some cases, depending on the direction of the magnetization. If the magnetization is along the $C_2$-invariant axis, the multilayer becomes the Weyl semimetal phase if the $C_2$-invariant axis intersects the nodal lines, and otherwise it becomes the QAH phases.