Room Temperature Evidence of PtTe2 Topological Semimetal Character

Topological semimetals, being characterized by symmetry-protected band crossings, represent a fascinating class of materials with extraordinary electronic properties. Type-II Dirac semimetals, featuring highly tilted Dirac cones, offer unique opportunities for both fundamental research and technological advancements. Platinum ditelluride (PtTe2) has emerged as a promising candidate for a type-II Dirac semimetal, exhibiting relevant properties for future spintronic and optoelectronic devices. While the existence of type-II Dirac cones in PtTe2 has been confirmed by cryogenic temperature angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES), practical applications necessitate their stability at ambient conditions. Here, we present a melt growth method for the synthesis of high-quality PtTe2 crystals and we perform ARPES characterization both at cryogenic and at room temperature, providing compelling evidence for the robust nature of its topological electronic structure under realistic operating conditions. This demonstration paves the way for the development of PtTe2-based devices leveraging its distinctive topological properties in practical settings.