二维三角格点系统中的拓扑陈数

利用紧束缚模型对二维三角周期格点中各能带的陈数分布进行研究.通过严格对角化方法得到体系能量本征值和对应的本征态，再利用Kubo公式计算出量子化的霍尔电导、态密度及各扩展态对应的陈数.在傅里叶变换下将哈密顿量转换到k空间从而得到体系的能谱分布.研究表明：次近邻格点之间的跳跃积分t'的不同取值影响体系各能带对应的陈数分布，计算得到当t'=1/2时体系三个能带从低到高对应的陈数分布为{-4，5，-1}，t'=-1/2时其对应陈数分布变化为{2，-4，2}，而t'=±1/4时对应的陈数分布都为{2，-1，-1}.同时发现：能谱帯隙的宽度和对应霍尔平台的宽度一致，并且k空间的能带越平坦，其对应的在霍尔电导跳跃处的态密度峰就越高越尖锐，而该处霍尔电导跳跃就越陡峭.     

Topological Fulde–Ferrell and Larkin–Ovchinnikov states in spin-orbit-coupled lattice system

The spin-orbit coupled lattice system under Zeeman fields provides an ideal platform to realize exotic pairing states. Notable examples range from the topological superfluid/superconducting (tSC) state, which is gapped in the bulk but metallic at the edge, to the Fulde–Ferrell (FF) state (having a phase-modulated order parameter with a uniform amplitude) and the Larkin–Ovchinnikov (LO) state (having a spatially varying order parameter amplitude). Here, we show that the topological FF state with Chern number (C=−1) (tFF₁) and topological LO state with C= 2 (tLO₂) can be stabilized in Rashba spin-orbit coupled lattice systems in the presence of both in-plane and out-of-plane Zeeman fields. Besides the inhomogeneous tSC states, in the presence of a weak in-plane Zeeman field, two topological BCS phases may emerge with C=−1 (tBCS₁) far from half filling and C= 2 (tBCS₂) near half filling. We show intriguing effects such as different spatial profiles of order parameters for FF and LO states, the topological evolution among inhomogeneous tSC states, and different non-trivial Chern numbers for the tFF₁ and tLO_1,2 states, which are peculiar to the lattice system. Global phase diagrams for various topological phases are presented for both half-filling and doped cases. The edge states as well as local density of states spectra are calculated for tSC states in a 2D strip.     

High Chern number phase in topological insulator multilayer structures: A Dirac cone model study

We employ the Dirac cone model to explore the high Chern number (C) phases that are realized in the magnetic-doped topological insulator (TI) multilayer structures by Zhao et al. [Nature 588 419 (2020)]. The Chern number is calculated by capturing the evolution of the phase boundaries with the parameters, then the Chern number phase diagrams of the TI multilayer structures are obtained. The high-C behavior is attributed to the band inversion of the renormalized Dirac cones, along with which the spin polarization at the $\varGamma$ point will get increased. Moreover, another two TI multilayer structures as well as the TI superlattice structures are studied.     

Effective spin-2 quasi-particles at linear dispersive five-fold degenerate points with tunable topological Chern numbers

In this work, which is based on spin-2 vectors and traceless spin-2 tensors, an effective Hamiltonian is constructed with a linearly dispersive five-fold degenerate point with spin-2 vector-momentum couplings. For the model without spin-2 vector-tensor coupling, the topological Chern numbers of five bands are calculated as 4, 2, 0, ?2, ?4. After including spin-2 vector-tensor coupling, separate topological Chern numbers are obtained for different couplings. A cubic lattice of atoms with five internal states is designed to realize two five-fold degenerate points. The Chern numbers of the bands can be changed by tuning the coupling coefficient. In this work we propose a theoretical design to obtain spin-2 quasi-particles.     

A gauge theory for two-band model of Chern insulators and induced topological defects

In this paper a gauge theory is proposed for the two-band model of Chern insulators.Based on the so-calle't Hooft monopole model,a U(1)Maxwell electromagnetic sub-field is constructed from an SU(2)gauge field,from which arise two types of topological defects,monopoles and e2 merons.We focus on the topological number in the Hall conductance σ_xy=e²/hC,where C is the Chern number.It is discovered that in the monopole case C is indeterminate,while in the meron case C takes different values,due to a varying on-site energy m.As a typical example,we apply this method to the square lattice and compute the winding numbers(topological charges)of the defects;the C-evaluations we obtain reproduce the results of the usual literature.Furthermore,based on the gauge theory we propose a new model to obtain the high Chern numbers|C|=2,4.     

Aspects of Floquet bands and topological phase transitions in a continuously driven superlattice

The recent creation of novel topological states of matter via periodic driving fields has attracted much attention. To contribute to the growing knowledge on this subject, we study the well-known Harper-Aubry-André model modified by a continuous time-periodic modulation and report on its topological properties along with several other interesting features. The Floquet bands are found to have non-zero Chern numbers which are generally different from those in the original static model. Topological phase transitions (discontinuous change of Chern numbers) take place as we tune the amplitude or period of the driving field. We demonstrate that the non-trivial Floquet band topology manifests via the quantized transport of Wannier states in the lattice space. For certain parameter choices, very flat yet topologically non-trivial Floquet bands emerge, a feature potentially useful for simulating the physics of strongly correlated systems. In some cases with an even number of Floquet bands, the spectrum features linearly dispersing Dirac cones which hold potential for the simulation of high energy physics or Klein tunnelling. Taking open boundary conditions, we observe anomalous counter-propagating chiral edge modes and degenerate zero modes. We end by discussing how these theoretical predictions may be verified experimentally.     

旋转方形散射体对三角晶格磁振子晶体带结构的优化

用改进的平面波展开法数值计算了正方形散射体三角排列的二维磁振子晶体当散射体旋转时的带结构. 结果显示, 同样的填充率下, 旋转正方柱散射体可以在新的频率范围内打开更多的带隙, 或者使低频带隙加宽. 说明旋转散射体可以有效地优化带隙.     

一维颗粒声子晶体的拓扑相变及可调界面态

基于Su-Schrieffer-Heeger模型,构造了一种一维非线性声子晶体,通过调控外加在声子晶体上的预紧力,可调控声子晶体的拓扑态,从而实现拓扑相变.利用这一效应,把该非线性声子晶体与另一线性声子晶体形成异质结构,可以实现一种新型声学开关:通过调节预紧力即调控非线性声子晶体的拓扑相,可以实现异质结构中界面态从无到有的转变,从而实现了开关效应.利用该效应可望开发新型声学器件,如可调谐振器、可调滤波器、可调隔振器等.     

Formation of topological domain walls and quantum transport properties of zero-line modes in commensurate bilayer graphene systems

We study theoretically the construction of topological conducting domain walls with a finite width between AB/BA stacking regions via finite element method in bilayer graphene systems with tunable commensurate twisting angles. We find that the smaller is the twisting angle, the more significant the lattice reconstruction would be, so that sharper domain boundaries declare their existence. We subsequently study the quantum transport properties of topological zero-line modes which can exist because of the said domain boundaries via Green’s function method and Landauer−Büttiker formalism, and find that in scattering regions with tri-intersectional conducting channels, topological zero-line modes both exhibit robust behavior exemplified as the saturated total transmissionG_tot ≈ 2e²/h and obey a specific pseudospin-conserving current partition law among the branch transport channels. The former property is unaffected by Aharonov−Bohm effect due to a weak perpendicular magnetic field, but the latter is not. Results from our genuine bilayer hexagonal system suggest a twisting angle aroundθ ≈ 0.1° for those properties to be expected, consistent with the existing experimental reports.     

Rashba自旋轨道耦合下square-octagon晶格的拓扑相变

本文研究了各向同性square-octagon晶格在内禀自旋轨道耦合、Rashba自旋轨道耦合和交换场作用下的拓扑相变,同时引入陈数和自旋陈数对系统进行拓扑分类.系统在自旋轨道耦合和交换场的影响下会出现许多拓扑非平庸态,包括时间反演对称破缺的量子自旋霍尔态和量子反常霍尔态.特别的是,在时间反演对称破缺的量子自旋霍尔效应中,无能隙螺旋边缘态依然能够完好存在.调节交换场或者填充因子的大小会导致系统发生从时间反演对称破缺的量子自旋霍尔态到自旋过滤的量子反常霍尔态的拓扑相变.边缘态能谱和自旋谱的性质与陈数和自旋陈数的拓扑刻画完全一致.这些研究成果为自旋量子操控提供了一个有趣的途径.     

Moiré flat bands of twisted few-layer graphite

We report that the twisted few layer graphite (tFL-graphite) is a new family of moiré heterostructures (MHSs), which has richer and highly tunable moiré flat band structures entirely distinct from all the known MHSs. A tFL-graphite is composed of two few-layer graphite (Bernal stacked multilayer graphene), which are stacked on each other with a small twisted angle. The moiré band structure of the tFL-graphite strongly depends on the layer number of its composed two van der Waals layers. Near the magic angle, a tFL-graphite always has two nearly flat bands coexisting with a few pairs of narrowed dispersive (parabolic or linear) bands at the Fermi level, thus, enhances the DOS at E_F . This coexistence property may also enhance the possible superconductivity as been demonstrated in other multiband superconductivity systems. Therefore, we expect strong multiband correlation effects in tFL-graphite. Meanwhile, a proper perpendicular electric field can induce several isolated nearly flat bands with nonzero valley Chern number in some simple tFL-graphites, indicating that tFL-graphite is also a novel topological flat band system.     

Appearance and disappearance of edge states in topological insulators

We investigate the relationship between spin Chern numbers and edge state properties in general situations, where the time-reversal symmetry may be broken. As an example, we consider a thin film of three-dimensional topological insulators sandwiched between two ferromagnetic insulators with an antiparallel magnetization configuration. A topological quantum spin Hall phase with quantized spin Chern numbers C _± =  ±1, and a trivial insulator with C _± = 0 are found in different parameter regions. With tuning parameters, the quantum phase transition between the two phases can occur through closing of the spin spectrum gap rather than energy gap. It is further shown that for a junction between samples with different parameters, appearance of edge states at the interface is always related to the mismatch of spin Chern numbers, independent of symmetries.     

Topological nature of the phonon Hall effect

We provide a topological understanding of the phonon Hall effect in dielectrics with Raman spin-phonon coupling. A general expression for phonon Hall conductivity is obtained in terms of the Berry curvature of band structures. We find a nonmonotonic behavior of phonon Hall conductivity as a function of the magnetic field. Moreover, we observe a phase transition in the phonon Hall effect, which corresponds to the sudden change of band topology, characterized by the altering of integer Chern numbers. This can be explained by touching and splitting of phonon bands.     

Time-reversal-symmetry-broken quantum spin Hall effect

The quantum spin Hall (QSH) state of matter is usually considered to be protected by time-reversal (TR) symmetry. We investigate the fate of the QSH effect in the presence of the Rashba spin-orbit coupling and an exchange field, which break both inversion and TR symmetries. It is found that the QSH state characterized by nonzero spin Chern numbers C(±) = ±1 persists when the TR symmetry is broken. A topological phase transition from the TR-symmetry-broken QSH phase to a quantum anomalous Hall phase occurs at a critical exchange field, where the bulk band gap just closes. It is also shown that the transition from the TR-symmetry-broken QSH phase to an ordinary insulator state cannot happen without closing the band gap.     

二维声子晶体中简单旋转操作导致的拓扑相变

构建了一种简单的二维声子晶体:由两个横截面为三角形的钢柱所组成的复式元胞按三角点阵的形式排列在空气中,等效地形成了一个蜂巢点阵结构.当三角形钢柱的取向与三角点阵的高对称方向一致时,整个体系具有C_(6v)对称性.研究发现:在保持钢柱填充率不变的条件下,只需要将所有三角柱绕着自己的中心旋转180°,就可实现二重简并的p态和d态在布里渊区中心Γ点处的频率反转,且该能带反转过程实质上是一个拓扑相变过程.通过利用Γ点的P态和d态的空间旋转对称性,构造了一个赝时反演对称性,并在声学系统中实现了类似于电子系统中量子自旋霍尔效应的赝自旋态.随后通过k·p微扰法导出了Γ点附近的有效哈密顿量,并分别计算了拓扑平庸和非平庸系统的自旋陈数,揭示了能带反转和拓扑相变的内在联系.最后通过数值模拟演示了受到拓扑不变量保护的声波边界态的单向传输行为和对缺陷的背向散射抑制.文中所研究的声波体系,尽管材料普通常见,但其拓扑带隙的相对宽度超过21%,比已报道的类似体系的带隙都要宽,且工作原理涵盖从次声波到超声波的很大频率范围,从而在实际应用上具有较大的优势和潜力.     

Quantum Hall effect in kagomé lattices under staggered magnetic field

The interplay of staggered magnetic field (SMF) and uniform magnetic field (UMF) on the quantum Hall effect (QHE) in kagomé lattices is investigated in the weak UMF limit. The topological band gaps coming from SMF are robust against UMF although the extended bands split into a series of Landau levels. With SMF applied, in the unconventional QHE region, one plateau of Hall conductance becomes wider and the others are compressed. Meanwhile, one of the two series of integer Hall plateaus splits and the resulting two series of Hall plateaus still exhibit the integer behavior. The Hall conductance varies with SMF step by step with the step height being e(2)/h or 2e(2)/h according to the QHE being conventional or unconventional. In the transitional regions, redistribution of Chern numbers happens even in the weak UMF limit.     

Light dark sector searches at low-energy high-luminosity e+e− colliders

Although the standard model (SM) is extremely successful, there are various motivations for considering the physics beyond the SM. For example, the SM includes neither dark energy nor dark matter, which has been confirmed through astrophysical observations. Examination of the dark sector, which contains new, light, weakly-coupled particles at the GeV scale or lower, is well motivated by both theory and dark-matter detection experiments. In this mini-review, we focus on one particular case in which these new particles can interact with SM particles through a kinematic mixing term between U(1) gauge bosons. The magnitude of the mixing can be parameterized by a parameter ϵ. Following a brief overview of the relevant motivations and the constraints determined from numerous experiments, we focus on the light dark sector phenomenology at low-energy high-luminosity e⁺e⁻ colliders. These colliders are ideal for probing the new light particles, because of their large production rates and capacity for precise resonance reconstruction. Depending on the details of a given model, the typical observed signatures may also contain multi lepton pairs, displaced vertices, and/or missing energy. Through the use of extremely large data samples from existing experiments, such as KLOE, CLEO, BABAR, Belle, and BESIII, the ϵ<10⁻⁴–10⁻³ constraint can be obtained. Obviously, future experiments with larger datasets will provide opportunities for the discovery of new particles in the dark sector, or for stricter upper limits on ϵ. Once the light dark sector is confirmed, the particle physics landscape will be changed significantly.     

Itinerant Topological Magnons in SU (2) Symmetric Topological Hubbard Models with Nearly Flat Electronic Bands

We show that a suitable combination of flat-band ferromagnetism,geometry and nontrivial electronic band topology can give rise to itinerant topological magnons.An SU(2) symmetric topological Hubbard model with nearly flat electronic bands,on a Kagome lattice,is considered as the prototype.This model exhibits ferromagnetic order when the lowest electronic band is half-filled.Using the numerical exact diagonalization method with a projection onto this nearly flat band,we can obtain the magnonic spectra.In the flat-band limit,the spectra exhibit distinct dispersions with Dirac points,similar to those of free electrons with isotropic hoppings,or a local spin magnet with pure ferromagnetic Heisenberg exchanges on the same geometry.Significantly,the non-flatness of the electronic band may induce a topological gap at the Dirac points,leading to a magnonic band with a nonzero Chern number.More intriguingly,this magnonic Chern number changes its sign when the topological index of the electronic band is reversed,suggesting that the nontrivial topology of the magnonic band is related to its underlying electronic band.Our work suggests interesting directions for the further exploration of,and searches for,itinerant topological magnons.     

A computational investigation of topological insulator Bi2Se3 film

Topological insulators have a bulk band gap like an ordinary insulator and conducting states on their edge or surface which are formed by spin–orbit coupling and protected by time-reversal symmetry. We report theoretical analyses of the electronic properties of three-dimensional topological insulator Bi₂Se₃ film on different energies. We choose five different energies (–123, –75, 0, 180, 350 meV) around the Dirac cone (–113 meV). When energy is close to the Dirac cone, the properties of wave function match the topological insulator’s hallmark perfectly. When energy is far way from the Dirac cone, the hallmark of topological insulator is broken and the helical states disappear. The electronic properties of helical states are dug out from the calculation results. The spin-momentum locking of the helical states are confirmed. A 3-fold symmetry of the helical states in Brillouin zone is also revealed. The penetration depth of the helical states is two quintuple layers which can be identified from layer projection. The charge contribution on each quintuple layer depends on the energy, and has completely different behavior along K and M direction in Brillouin zone. From orbital projection, we can find that the maximum charge contribution of the helical states is p_z orbit and the charge contribution on p_yand p_x orbits have 2-fold symmetry.     

缀饰格子中时间反演对称破缺的量子自旋霍尔效应

<正>研究了缀饰格子中的量子自旋霍尔效应,模型中同时考虑了Rashba自旋轨道耦合和交换场的作用.缀饰格子具有简立方对称性,以零能平带和单狄拉克锥结构为主要特点.在缀饰格子中,不论是实现量子自旋霍尔效应还是量子反常霍尔效应,都需要一个不为零的内禀自旋轨道耦合作用来打开一个完全的体能隙,这与石墨烯等六角格子模型有着很大的不同.在交换场破坏了时间反演对称性的情况下,以自旋陈数为标志的量子自旋霍尔效应仍然能够存在,边缘态和极化率的相关结果也证明了这一结论.结果表明自旋陈数比z2拓扑数在表征量子自旋霍尔效应方面有着更广泛的适用范围,相应的结论为利用磁场控制量子自旋霍尔效应提出了一个理论模型和依据.