arXiv, 2018
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1802.01376
Nature Research, Nature Communications, 1(9), 2018
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05715-2
AbstractRelativistic massless Dirac fermions can be probed with high-energy physics experiments, but appear also as low-energy quasi-particle excitations in electronic band structures. In condensed matter systems, their massless nature can be protected by crystal symmetries. Classification of such symmetry-protected relativistic band degeneracies has been fruitful, although many of the predicted quasi-particles still await their experimental discovery. Here we reveal, using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, the existence of two-dimensional type-II Dirac fermions in the high-temperature superconductor La1.77Sr0.23CuO4. The Dirac point, constituting the crossing of $d_{x^2 - y^2}$ d x 2 - y 2 and $d_{z^2}$ d z 2 bands, is found approximately one electronvolt below the Fermi level (EF) and is protected by mirror symmetry. If spin-orbit coupling is considered, the Dirac point degeneracy is lifted and the bands acquire a topologically non-trivial character. In certain nickelate systems, band structure calculations suggest that the same type-II Dirac fermions can be realised near EF.