An Investigation into Topological Crystals and Flat Band Systems

Abstract

The field of condensed matter physics is characterized by of a vast array of physical phenomena which may be investigated through measurements of crystalline materials. This thesis investigates the synthesis of 3-dimensional systems under two broad classes: topological materials and flat band materials. The topological systems investigated include the topological insulator Cu₂Ti, the Weyl semimetal VMg₂O₄, and the nodal semimetal PtSeTe. The flat band systems investigated all incorporate the 2-dimensional Kagome lattice in their 3-dimensional structures, and include the materials Zr₂Fe₃(Si,Ge) and Fe₆Ge₆Zr. Synthesis campaigns for these candidate materials included the implementation of solid state reactions, flux growths, and chemical vapor transport growths. For these systems, the predicted physics, as well as the design, execution, and characterization of quantum material synthesis will be presented.