Chiral Topological Phononic Quasiparticles in Enantiomeric Crystals SrSi$_2$ and BaSi$_2$

TL;DR

This paper predicts and analyzes chiral topological phononic quasiparticles in enantiomeric crystals SrSi$_2$ and BaSi$_2$, revealing how crystal chirality influences topological states with potential for novel physical properties.

Contribution

It introduces the first theoretical prediction of topological phononic quasiparticles in specific chiral enantiomeric materials, linking crystal chirality to topological quasiparticle chirality.

Findings

Identification of topological phononic quasiparticles in SrSi$_2$ and BaSi$_2$

Opposite crystal chirality leads to opposite topological charges

Distinct surface states associated with different chiralities

Abstract

Chiral crystals have recently garnered significant interest in condensed matter physics due to their unique electronic and optical properties. In this paper, we explore the connection between the chirality of crystal structures and the chirality of topological quasiparticles. We specifically predict and analyze several chiral enantiomeric materials, such as SrSi$_2$ and BaSi$_2$, which crystallize in the chiral space groups $P4{_3}32$ and $P4{_1}32$. Based on first-principles calculations and theoretical analysis, we reveal that the phonon spectra of these materials host various topological phononic quasiparticles, including charge-2 triple points, charge-2 Dirac points, charge-2 Weyl points, and charge-1 Weyl points. Our paper shows that in these enantiomeric materials, the opposite chirality of the crystal structure results in topological quasiparticles with opposite chiral topological charges and distinct topological surface states. Our paper elucidates the intrinsic relationship between the chirality of crystal structures and the chirality of topological quasiparticles, providing promising theoretical guidance and material platform for investigating the physical properties of chiral crystals.