Topological Edge States with Zero Hall Conductivity in a Dimerized Hofstadter Model

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Alexander Lau - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)
  • Carmine Ortix - , Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden, Utrecht University (Author)
  • Jeroen Van Den Brink - , Chair of Solid State Theory, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (Author)

Abstract

The Hofstadter model is a simple yet powerful Hamiltonian to study quantum Hall physics in a lattice system, manifesting its essential topological states. Lattice dimerization in the Hofstadter model opens an energy gap at half filling. Here we show that even if the ensuing insulator has a Chern number equal to zero, concomitantly a doublet of edge states appear that are pinned at specific momenta. We demonstrate that these states are topologically protected by inversion symmetry in specific one-dimensional cuts in momentum space, define and calculate the corresponding invariants, and identify a platform for the experimental detection of these novel topological states.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number216805
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume115
Issue number21
Publication statusPublished - 20 Nov 2015
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas