The existence and topological classification of lower-dimensional Fermi
surfaces is often tied to the crystal symmetries of the underlying lattice
systems. Artificially engineered lattices, such as heterostructures and other
superlattices, provide promising avenues to realize desired crystal symmetries
that protect lower-dimensional Fermi surface, such as nodal lines. In this
work, we investigate a Weyl semimetal subjected to spatially periodic onsite
potential, giving rise to several phases, including a nodal-line semimetal
phase. In contrast to proposals that purely focus on lattice symmetries, the
emergence of the nodal line in this setup does not require small spin-orbit
coupling, but rather relies on its presence. We show that the stability of the
nodal line is understood from reflection symmetry and a combination of a
fractional lattice translation and charge-conjugation symmetry. Depending on
the choice of parameters, this model exhibits drumhead surface states that are
exponentially localized at the surface, or weakly localized surface states that
decay into the bulk at all energies.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, Editors' Suggestio