Critical topological nodal points and nodal lines/rings in Kagome graphene

Abstract

Critical topological phases, possessing flat bands, provide a platform to study unique topological properties and transport phenomena under a many-body effect. Here, we propose that critical nodal points and nodal lines or rings can be found in Kagome lattices. After the C₃ rotation symmetry of a single-layer Kagome lattice is eliminated, a quadratic nodal point splits into two critical nodal points. When the layered Kagome lattices are stacked into a three-dimensional (3D) structure, critical nodal lines or rings can be generated by tuning the interlayer coupling. Furthermore, we use Kagome graphene as an example to identify that these critical phases could be obtained in real materials. We also discuss flat-band-induced ferromagnetism. It is found that the flat band splits into two spin-polarized bands by hole-doping, and as a result the Dirac-type critical phases evolve into Weyl-type phases.