Title: Intrinsic Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect with In-Plane Magnetization: Searching Rule and Material Prediction

Abstract

So far, most theoretically predicted and experimentally confirmed quantum anomalous Hall effects (QAHEs) are limited in two-dimensional (2D) materials with out-of-plane magnetization. In this Letter, starting from 2D nodal-line semimetal, a general rule for searching QAHE with in-plane magnetization is mapped out. Because of spin-orbital coupling, we found that the magnetization will prefer an in-plane orientation if the orbital of degenerate nodal-line states at the Fermi level have the same absolute value of magnetic quantum number. Moreover, depending on the broken or conserved mirror symmetry, either a QAHE or 2D semimetal can be realized. Based on first principles calculations, we further predict a real material of monolayer LaCl to be an intrinsic QAHE with in-plane magnetization. By tuning the directions of in-plane magnetization, the QAHE in LaCl demonstrates a threefold rotational symmetry with a Chern number of either +1 or –1 , and the transition point is characterized by a 2D semimetal phase. All these features are quantitatively reproduced by tight-binding model calculations, revealing the underlying physics clearly. Here, our results greatly extend the scope for material classes of QAHE and hence stimulate immediate experimental interest.

Authors:

Liu, Zhao ^[1]; Zhao, Gan ^[1]; Liu, Bing ^[1]; Wang, Z. F. ^[1]; Yang, Jinlong ^[1]; Liu, Feng ^[2]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Univ. of Science and Technology of China, Anhui (China)
2. Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States); Collaborative Innovation Center of Quantum Matter, Beijing (Matter)

Publication Date:

Thu Dec 13 00:00:00 EST 2018

Research Org.:

Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE Office of Science (SC)

OSTI Identifier:

1609552

Alternate Identifier(s):

OSTI ID: 1485743

Grant/Contract Number:  

FG02-04ER46148; AHY090400; 2017YFA0204904; 2016YFA0200604

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Physical Review Letters

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 121; Journal Issue: 24; Journal ID: ISSN 0031-9007

Publisher:

American Physical Society (APS)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY; physics; electronic structure; topological materials; 2-dimensional systems; honeycomb lattice; Band structure methodsFirst-principles calculationsLattice models in condensed matter