Observation of Nodal-Line Semimetallic State in PrSbTe

Rare-earth(<i>R</i>) based <i>R</i>SbTe materials, which are isostructural to the nodal-line semimetal ZrSiS, are gathering research attention because of the possible elements of electronic correlation and magnetism that the <i>R-4f</i> electrons may bring. Here, we study the electronic structure in PrSbTe by utilizing angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) in conjunction with first-principles calculations and thermodynamic measurements. Thermodynamic measurements show that no discernible phase transitions occur down to 2 K. ARPES results and their comparison with first-principles calculations reveal the presence of multiple nodal-line crossings in this system. This study contributes to the understanding of the role of spin-orbit coupling in the topological electronic structure within the <i>R</i>SbTe family of materials.<br/><br/>**<i>This work is supported by National Science Foundation CAREER award DMR-1847962, Air Force Office of Scientific Research MURI Grant FA9550-20-1-0322, Idaho National Laboratory’s Laboratory Directed Research and Development program under Idaho Operations Office Contract DE-AC07-05ID14517, and Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).</i>