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2 votes
0 answers
339 views

About symmetry constraints in momentum space

When people study symmetry protected topological phases, certain symmetry constraints are enforced on the Hamiltonian. Specifically, for non-interacting fermionic systems, we could focus on the ...
Kai Su's user avatar
  • 171
0 votes
1 answer
321 views

Meaning of complex pairing terms in Kitaev chain

I am studying some properties of the one dimensional Kitaev chain, which has the following form: $ H = -\mu \sum_n c_n^\dagger c_n - t \sum_n (c_{n+1}^\dagger c_n + h.c.) + \Delta \sum_n (c_n c_{n+1} ...
Kai Su's user avatar
  • 171
1 vote
0 answers
81 views

Algebra of Time Reversal and Particle Hole Symmetry in 10-fold Classification of Topological Insulator/superconductor

In the ten fold classification of TI/TSC, when time reversal symmetry $\mathcal{T}$ and particle hole symmetry $\mathcal{P}$ are both present, i.e., in the symmetry classes BDI, DIII, CII, CI, for all ...
user34104's user avatar
  • 407
7 votes
1 answer
201 views

Time-reversal (explicitly) broken surface of $(3+1)$-dimensional topological insulator

Let us consider the surface of $(3+1)$-dimensional topological insulator, which is protected by the charge conservation $U(1)_Q$ and a time-reversal symmetry $\mathbb{Z}_2^T$. Such a surface, if not ...
Yuan Yao's user avatar
  • 813
1 vote
0 answers
60 views

Why are degenerate ground states interesting?

Studying the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chain I have learned that the model has two different phases, one which is called topological and the other one trivial. In the notes it says that these phases are ...
B. Brekke's user avatar
  • 1,772
2 votes
1 answer
397 views

What are the applications of edge states in 1D topological systems?

In 2D, we get robust conducting edges. In 3D, we get robust conducting surfaces. These are interesting because we can possibly utilise this robustness for protected electron transport (or light ...
Janet Zhong's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

The surface states and Fermi arcs in Weyl semimetals

I'm confused about surface states in Weyl semimetals. Assume that we have a single pair of Weyl points and the Fermi level turned to this points. In this https://arxiv.org/abs/1301.0330 paper the ...
Phys Dag's user avatar
  • 341
1 vote
1 answer
198 views

Do topological transitions only occur at Dirac points?

Topological phase transitions happen when the band gap closes. It is not true that all band crossings are topological. There are Dirac (linear) band crossings, quadratic band crossings, Dirac-like ...
Janet Zhong's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
204 views

Gapless modes at the boundary between topological insulator and normal insulator

I am currently learning about topology in condensed matter physics. I think I understand most of how topological indeces come about and differences between Z and Z2 indeces and the symmetries that ...
Thomas's user avatar
  • 93
1 vote
1 answer
426 views

Is the quantum Hall state a topological insulating state?

I am confused about the quantum Hall state and topological insulating states. Following are the points (according to my naive understanding of this field) which confuse me: Topological insulator has ...
Luqman Saleem's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
146 views

Experimental confirmation of Majorana modes in Kitaev chain

I'm confused about majorana modes at the edge of Kitaev chain, what do we seek in experiment? When we first define this one we write the creation and annihilation operators as: $$a^{+}=\frac{1}{2}(\...
Phys Dag's user avatar
  • 341
6 votes
1 answer
236 views

Topological materials and fractionalized excitations

I've been told several times that topological materials (such topological insulators) must have "fractionalized" excitations. Equivalently, if a material does not have fractionalized excitations, it ...
dylnan's user avatar
  • 225
6 votes
1 answer
387 views

Is topological surface state always tangential to bulk bands?

Think of a topologically nontrivial $D$-dimensional system. Its bulk bands form a $D+1$-dimensional manifold ($+1$ from energy). Its surface/edge bands form a $D$-dimensional one. Is the latter always ...
xiaohuamao's user avatar
  • 3,701
6 votes
1 answer
320 views

Formula for the topological invariant for each of the symmetry classes

Is there a reference that systematically derives the topological invariant/winding number for all the ten symmetry classes in Altland and Zirnbauer's periodic table? For example, in this answer, there ...
Tejas Kotwal's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
29 views

Linking phase of flux lines and excitation energy of monopole

I am reading this paper and on the left-hand side of pp.10 it states the following relation between linking phase and excitation energy of monopole: Now the $\theta = \pi$ term in the bulk implies ...
PhysicsMath's user avatar

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