WloopPHI: A tool for ab initio characterization of Weyl semimetals
Abstract
WloopPHI is a Python code that expands the features of WIEN2k, a
full-potential all-electron density functional theory package, by the
characterization of Weyl semimetals. It enables the calculation of the
chirality (or "monopole charge") associated with Weyl nodes and nodal lines.
The theoretical methodology for the calculation of the chirality is based on an
extended Wilson loop method and a Berry phase approach. We validate the code
using TaAs, which is a well-characterized Weyl semimetal, both theoretically
and experimentally. Afterwards, we applied the method to the characterization
of YRh$_6$Ge$_4$ and found two sets of Weyl points (ca. 0.2 eV below the Fermi
energy) together with a topological nodal line (protected by mirror symmetry)
crossing the Fermi energy and mapped their chiralities.