Two-dimensional materials and hetero-structures provide an important playground for realizing novel topological quantum phases as well as tailored electronic and spin textures with potential applications. In this talk, I will first present our recent works on the experimental realization of novel topological phases in the family of transition metal dichalcogenides [1-3]. I will also present our recent work of band structure engineering by superlattice potential in a model van der Waals heterostructure [4].

References:
1. Ke Deng et al., “Experimental observation of topological Fermi arcs in type-II Weyl semimetal MoTe2”, Nature Physics, in press, DOI:10.1038/nphys3856.
2. Kenan Zhang et al, “Raman signatures of inversion symmetry breaking and structural phase transition in type-II Weyl semimetal MoTe2”, arXiv:1603.08508.
3. Mingzhe Yan et al., “Lorentz-violating type-II Dirac fermions in transition metal dichalcogenide PtTe2”, arXiv:1607.03643.
4. Eryin Wang et al., “Gaps induced by inversion symmetry breaking and second-generation Dirac cones in graphene/h-BN”, Nature Physics, in press, DOI:10.1038/nphys3871.