The kagome lattice is a well-known model system for the investigation of strong correlation andtopological electronic phenomena due to the intrinsic flat band, magnetic frustration, etc. Introducing chirality into the kagome lattice would bring about new physics due to the unique symmetry, which is still yet to be fully explored. Here we report the investigation on a twodimensional chiral kagome lattice utilizing tight binding band calculation and topological index analysis. It is found that the periodic chiral kagome lattice would bring about a robust zeroenergy flat band. Furthermore, in the Su–Schrieffer–Heeger type dimer-/trimerized breathing chiral kagome lattice with particular edge terminations, topological corner states or metallic edge states would appear, implying new candidates for the second-order topological insulator. We also proposed the construction strategy for such lattices employing the scanning tunneling microscope atom manipulation technique.

This work was mainly done by Xueyan Li.

https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6528/ad1442