Topological phase transitions and quarter-metal states of rhombohedral trilayer graphene
Phys. Rev. B 113, 045149 – Published 26 January, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/fw6y-cs8r
Abstract
Rhombohedral trilayer graphene (RTG) hosts exotic electronic, magnetic, and superconductivity properties, offering a versatile platform to study correlated and topological phases. We systematically investigate topological phase transitions in RTG under optical fields and staggered electric potentials. Using an effective two-band model, we capture multiple Lifshitz transitions and high-Chern-number states induced by these fields, while an extended Hubbard model is employed to investigate magnetic phase transitions in RTG. Our analysis reveals intriguing quarter-metal (QM) and three types of half-metal (HM) states under external fields, and we further examine the symmetry properties and temperature dependence of the resulting phase diagrams. These findings highlight the potential for spintronic and valleytronic applications of RTG.
