Crossed real nodal-line phonons in gold monobromide

Abstract

Space-time inversion symmetry can generate intriguing types of spinless excitations in crystalline materials. Here, we propose a topological phase protected by space-time inversion symmetry—the crossed real nodal line (RNL) in the phonon spectrum of gold monobromide (AuBr). In AuBr, there exist four straight nodal lines, which are linked by a crossed nodal line formed by two lower bands. Remarkably, each adjacent two of the four straight nodal lines is a pair, forming a crossed RNL with nontrivial real Chern number. Such configuration and pairing mode of RNL have never been reported. The crossed RNL exhibits unique surface and hinge states distinguished from that of the conventional RNLs. The symmetry protection and the transformation under the symmetry-preserving strain of the crossed RNL are also investigated. Our results open the door to a new class of topological states and predict its realization in experimentally synthesized material.