Multiple surface states, nontrivial band topology, and antiferromagnetism in GdAuAl₄Ge₂

Abstract

Magnetic topological states of matter provide a fertile playground for emerging topological physics and phenomena. The current main focus is on materials whose magnetism stems from 3d magnetic transition elements, e.g., MnBi2Te4, Fe3Sn2 and Co3Sn2S2. In contrast, topological materials with the magnetism from rare earth elements remain largely unexplored. Here we report rare earth antiferromagnet GdAuAl4Ge2 as a candidate magnetic topological metal. Angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations have revealed multiple bulk bands crossing the Fermi level and pairs of low energy surface states. According to the parity and Wannier charge center analyses, these bulk bands possess nontrivial Z2 topology, establishing a strong topological insulator state in the nonmagnetic phase. Furthermore, the surface band pairs exhibit strong termination dependence which provides insight into their origin. Our results suggest GdAuAl4Ge2 as a rare earth platform to explore the interplay between band topology, magnetism and f electron correlation, calling for further study targeting on its magnetic structure, magnetic topology state, transport behavior and microscopic properties.