Gapless electronic topology without free-electron counterpart

The interplay between interactions and topology in quantum materials is of extensive current interest. In noninteracting systems, electronic topology is described in terms of Bloch functions. However, strong interactions can destroy the quasi-particles and invalidate the analogy with noninteracting systems. Here, we consider a multi-channel Anderson lattice model on several lattices, where the electron correlations destroy the quasi-particles and lead to strange-metal behavior in resistivity and related properties. Space group symmetry constraints are analyzed in terms of the eigenvectors of Green's functions. We demonstrate gapless topological phases without any free-electron counterpart [1]. We characterize the electronic topology in terms of surface states and valley and spin Hall conductivities, and identify candidate materials to realize the proposed phases. Our work opens a door to a variety of gapless topological phases without free-electron counterpart in a broad range of strongly correlated metals.

[1] H. Hu, et al.,  arXiv:2110.06182 (2021).