Spectroscopic evidence for the realization of a genuine topological nodal-line semimetal in LaSbTe

Numerous nodal-line semimetal candidates have been predicted and experimentally examined. To realize a genuine nodal-line semimetal, the Dirac nodes must be robust against spin-orbit coupling and must lie close to the Fermi level so as to allow for the manifestation of the novel properties. By performing band structure calculations and angle-resolved photoemission measurements, direct evidence is provided here for the realization of a genuine nodal-line semimetal in LaSbTe. This finding creates new opportunity for exploring novel phenomena in topological materials.