Intertwined Weyl phases emergent from higher-order topology and unconventional Weyl fermions via crystalline symmetry

We discover three-dimensional intertwined Weyl phases, by developing a theory to create topological phases. The theory is based on intertwining existing topological gapped and gapless phases protected by the same crystalline symmetry. The intertwined Weyl phases feature both unconventional Weyl semimetallic (monopole charge>1) and higher-order topological phases, and more importantly, their exotic intertwining. While the two phases are independently stabilized by the same symmetry, their intertwining results in the specific distribution of them in the bulk. The construction mechanism allows us to combine different kinds of unconventional Weyl semimetallic and higher-order topological phases to generate distinct phases. Remarkably, on 2D surfaces, the intertwining causes the Fermi-arc topology to change in a periodic pattern against surface orientation. This feature provides a characteristic and feasible signature to probe the intertwining Weyl phases. Moreover, we provide guidelines for searching candidate materials, and elaborate on emulating the intertwined double-Weyl phase in cold-atom experiments.

Automated summary

We have discovered three-dimensional intertwined Weyl phases by developing a theory for creating topological phases. These intertwined phases exhibit unconventional Weyl semimetallic and higher-order topological characteristics, and their key feature is the exotic intertwining. On 2D surfaces, the intertwining causes a periodic change in the Fermi-arc topology against surface orientation.