Chiral symmetry classes and Dirac nodal lines in three-dimensional layered systems

Abstract: We study the existence and stability of Dirac nodal lines in three-dimensional layered systems, whose layers individually have Dirac nodal points protected by chiral (sublattice) symmetry. The model system we consider is the rhombohedral stack of graphene layers with each layer subjected to a uniform external potential that respects either AIII or BDI classes. From the Hamiltonians in either classes, a pair of nontrivial spiraling Dirac nodal lines can be derived. The results are reasonable in accord to the topological classification of gapless phases for codimension $2$. The nodal lines approach each other as the magnitude of the potential increases, revealing their annihilation due to the fact that regarding the full system their topological invariants are cancelled out.