Semi-Dirac semimetal in silicene oxide

Abstract

A semi-Dirac semimetal is a material that exhibits linear band dispersion in one direction and quadratic band dispersion in the orthogonal direction and, therefore, hosts massless and massive fermions at the same point in the momentum space. While a number of interesting physical properties have been predicted in semi-Dirac semimetals, it has been rare to realize such materials in condensed matter. Based on the fact that some honeycomb materials are easily oxidized or chemically absorb other atoms, here, we theoretically propose an approach of modifying their band structures by covalent addition of group-VI elements and strain engineering. We predict a silicene oxide with the chemical formula of Si₂O to be a candidate semi-Dirac semimetal. Our approach is backed by the analysis and understanding of the effect of p-orbital frustration on the band structure of graphene-like materials.