Weyl and Dirac semimetals and beyond– prediction, synthesis and characterization of new semimetals

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Presently, one of the most rapidly developing field in condensed matter is the physics of Dirac (DSM) and Weyl (WSM) semimetals, 3D graphene analogs that have not only a theoretical importance, but have a significant potential for practical applications as components of nanoelectronic devices, quantum computers, ultra-high-speed circuits, which answers actual challenges of the formation of digital economy. Obviously, all the consequences of the nontrivial topology of the electronic structure have not yet been fully investigated. One of the main reason is a lack of single crystals of these semimetals. Equally obvious is the fact that, in order to achieve a progress in studying of these materials, a close collaboration between theoretical and experimental physicists and solid state chemists is needed. Indeed, most of the DSM and WSM were first predicted by theory, then grown as single crystals and investigated by a number of techniques confirming non-trivial topological states.The goals of this project are theoretical prediction, synthesis as single crystals, and comprehensive studies of topological semimetals and derivative systems. The project will be conducted by the international teams from Moscow and Dresden which includes theoretical and experimental physicists (Leibnitz IFW, Dresden), as well as solid state and materials chemists, experts in inorganic synthesis (Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University). With this complementary expertise the important questions of the chemistry and physics of the topological semimetals will be addressed. As the first step new Weyl and Dirac semimetals will be synthesized and investigated. As the next step Dirac semimetals with multiple degenerate points of the electron band structure, which were predicted recently, will be synthesized and investigated. At present, semimetals of this type remain practically unexplored experimentally. Another question to be addressed in the present project is the change of the physical properties with doping and consequently change of the position of the Weyl and Dirac points with respect to the Fermi level.