Hidden-ordered Dirac fermions

Abstract

I propose a Hermitian extension of the Lorentz-symmetric Dirac theory by complementing the associated Hamiltonian with another \emph{masslike} anticommuting Dirac operator. The resulting theory manifests the iconic linear energy-momentum relationship in any dimension ($d$) and hence the emergent nodal quasiparticle excitations are named \emph{hidden-ordered Dirac fermions}, which are symmetry protected and their responses are analogous to those in original Dirac systems, however, in terms of a renormalized (due to the hidden ordering) Fermi velocity. Typically, such a hidden ordering pushes any quantum phase transition into an insulation toward even stronger coupling in any $d>1$. However, depending on the internal algebra between the candidate insulating order parameter and masslike Dirac operator, the hidden-ordering may survive or disappear near the corresponding itinerant quantum critical point. I construct lattice models for such hidden-ordered massless Dirac fermions and outline promising platforms (numerical and experimental) to test these predictions.

6 Pages and 1 Figure