# Symmetry Enforced Dirac Points in Antiferromagnetic Semiconductors

## TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the existence and controllability of symmetry enforced Dirac points in antiferromagnetic GdB$_4$, highlighting potential applications in spintronics through external magnetic fields and crystal deformations.

## Contribution

It reveals how symmetry enforced Dirac points in antiferromagnetic semiconductors can be manipulated via magnetic fields and structural changes.

## Key findings

- Dirac points exist at time reversal symmetric momenta in GdB$_4$
- External magnetic fields can split Dirac points into Weyl points or open gaps
- Deformations of the crystal can also open a gap in the spectrum

## Abstract

It is shown that the symmetry enforced Dirac points exist at some time reversal symmetric momenta in antiferroemgnetic compound GdB$_4$. These Dirac points may be controlled by the external magnetic field or by the deformation of the crystal. Application of the external magnetic field leads to splitting of these points into Weyl points or to opening of a gap depending on the field direction. The application of the symmetry breaking deformation also opens a gap in the spectrum. Suppression of the antiferromagnetic order leads to the formation of the nodal line instead of the Dirac points. This indicates that the symmetry enforced Dirac semimetals may be effectively used in different spintronic devices.