Topological Field Theory of Time-Reversal Invariant Insulators

Topological Field Theory of Time-Reversal Invariant Insulators PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 47

Get Book Here

Book Description
We show that the fundamental time reversal invariant (TRI) insulator exists in 4 + 1 dimensions, where the effective field theory is described by the 4 + 1 dimensional Chern-Simons theory and the topological properties of the electronic structure is classified by the second Chern number. These topological properties are the natural generalizations of the time reversal breaking (TRB) quantum Hall insulator in 2 + 1 dimensions. The TRI quantum spin Hall insulator in 2 + 1 dimensions and the topological insulator in 3 + 1 dimension can be obtained as descendants from the fundamental TRI insulator in 4 + 1 dimensions through a dimensional reduction procedure. The effective topological field theory, and the Z2 topological classification for the TRI insulators in 2+1 and 3+1 dimensions are naturally obtained from this procedure. All physically measurable topological response functions of the TRI insulators are completely described by the effective topological field theory. Our effective topological field theory predicts a number of novel and measurable phenomena, the most striking of which is the topological magneto-electric effect, where an electric field generates a magnetic field in the same direction, with an universal constant of proportionality quantized in odd multiples of the fine structure constant [alpha] = e2/hc. Finally, we present a general classification of all topological insulators in various dimensions, and describe them in terms of a unified topological Chern-Simons field theory in phase space.

Topological Field Theory of Time-Reversal Invariant Insulators

Topological Field Theory of Time-Reversal Invariant Insulators PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 47

Get Book Here

Book Description
We show that the fundamental time reversal invariant (TRI) insulator exists in 4 + 1 dimensions, where the effective field theory is described by the 4 + 1 dimensional Chern-Simons theory and the topological properties of the electronic structure is classified by the second Chern number. These topological properties are the natural generalizations of the time reversal breaking (TRB) quantum Hall insulator in 2 + 1 dimensions. The TRI quantum spin Hall insulator in 2 + 1 dimensions and the topological insulator in 3 + 1 dimension can be obtained as descendants from the fundamental TRI insulator in 4 + 1 dimensions through a dimensional reduction procedure. The effective topological field theory, and the Z2 topological classification for the TRI insulators in 2+1 and 3+1 dimensions are naturally obtained from this procedure. All physically measurable topological response functions of the TRI insulators are completely described by the effective topological field theory. Our effective topological field theory predicts a number of novel and measurable phenomena, the most striking of which is the topological magneto-electric effect, where an electric field generates a magnetic field in the same direction, with an universal constant of proportionality quantized in odd multiples of the fine structure constant [alpha] = e2/hc. Finally, we present a general classification of all topological insulators in various dimensions, and describe them in terms of a unified topological Chern-Simons field theory in phase space.

Topological Insulators

Topological Insulators PDF Author: Xiao-Liang Qi
Publisher: Elsevier Inc. Chapters
ISBN: 0128086858
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 43

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this chapter we provide an overview of the topological field theory approach to topological insulators. We start by reviewing the topological field theory description of integer quantum Hall states, which also illustrates the general features of topological field theory approach. Then we reviewed the topological field theory approach of three-dimensional topological insulators and its physical consequences. In the last part of this section we discuss the generalizations of topological field theory approach to generic dimensions and other topological states of matter.

Studies on Time-reversal Invariant Topological Insulators

Studies on Time-reversal Invariant Topological Insulators PDF Author: Joseph Maciejko
Publisher: Stanford University
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 242

Get Book Here

Book Description
This dissertation brings together a number of topics in the theory of time-reversal invariant topological insulators. The first four chapters are devoted to the transport properties of the two-dimensional (2D) quantum spin Hall state. We explain nonlocal transport measurements in mercury telluride (HgTe) quantum wells in terms of a Landauer-Büttiker theory of helical edge transport and confirm the discovery of the quantum spin Hall state in this material. We find that decoherence can lead to backscattering without breaking microscopic time-reversal symmetry. As an example of incoherent scattering, we study a Kondo impurity in an interacting helical edge liquid. A renormalization group analysis shows the existence of an impurity quantum phase transition governed by the Luttinger parameter of the edge liquid between a local helical Fermi liquid with T^6 scaling of the low-temperature conductance, and an insulating strongly correlated phase with fractionally charged emergent excitations. In the presence of a time-reversal symmetry breaking magnetic field, it is known that even coherent scattering can lead to backscattering. Through exact numerical diagonalization we find that nonmagnetic quenched disorder has a strong localizing effect on the edge transport if the disorder strength is comparable to the bulk gap. The predicted magnetoconductance agrees qualitatively with experiment. The last two chapters are devoted to 3D topological insulators. We propose a combined magnetooptical Kerr and Faraday rotation experiment as a universal measure of the Z_2 invariant. Finally, we propose a fractional generalization of 3D topological insulators in strongly correlated systems, characterized by ground state degeneracy on topologically nontrivial spatial 3-manifolds, a quantized fractional bulk magnetoelectric polarizability without time-reversal symmetry breaking, and a halved fractional quantum Hall effect on the surface.

Topological Insulators and Topological Superconductors

Topological Insulators and Topological Superconductors PDF Author: B. Andrei Bernevig
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400846730
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

Get Book Here

Book Description
This graduate-level textbook is the first pedagogical synthesis of the field of topological insulators and superconductors, one of the most exciting areas of research in condensed matter physics. Presenting the latest developments, while providing all the calculations necessary for a self-contained and complete description of the discipline, it is ideal for graduate students and researchers preparing to work in this area, and it will be an essential reference both within and outside the classroom. The book begins with simple concepts such as Berry phases, Dirac fermions, Hall conductance and its link to topology, and the Hofstadter problem of lattice electrons in a magnetic field. It moves on to explain topological phases of matter such as Chern insulators, two- and three-dimensional topological insulators, and Majorana p-wave wires. Additionally, the book covers zero modes on vortices in topological superconductors, time-reversal topological superconductors, and topological responses/field theory and topological indices. The book also analyzes recent topics in condensed matter theory and concludes by surveying active subfields of research such as insulators with point-group symmetries and the stability of topological semimetals. Problems at the end of each chapter offer opportunities to test knowledge and engage with frontier research issues. Topological Insulators and Topological Superconductors will provide graduate students and researchers with the physical understanding and mathematical tools needed to embark on research in this rapidly evolving field.

Topological Insulators and Topological Superconductors

Topological Insulators and Topological Superconductors PDF Author: B. Andrei Bernevig
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 069115175X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 259

Get Book Here

Book Description
"The book begins with simple concepts such as Berry phases, Dirac fermions, Hall conductance and its link to topology, and the Hofstadter problem of lattice electrons in a magnetic field. It moves on to explain topological phases of matter such as Chern insulators, two- and three-dimensional topological insulators, and Majorana p-wave wires. Additionally, the book covers zero modes on vortices in topological superconductors, time-reversal topological superconductors, and topological responses/field theory and topological indices. The book also analyzes recent topics in condensed matter theory and concludes by surveying active subfields of research such as insulators with point-group symmetries and the stability of topological semimetals. Problems at the end of each chapter offer opportunities to test knowledge..."--

Studies on Time-reversal Invariant Topological Insulators

Studies on Time-reversal Invariant Topological Insulators PDF Author: Joseph Maciejko
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
This dissertation brings together a number of topics in the theory of time-reversal invariant topological insulators. The first four chapters are devoted to the transport properties of the two-dimensional (2D) quantum spin Hall state. We explain nonlocal transport measurements in mercury telluride (HgTe) quantum wells in terms of a Landauer-Büttiker theory of helical edge transport and confirm the discovery of the quantum spin Hall state in this material. We find that decoherence can lead to backscattering without breaking microscopic time-reversal symmetry. As an example of incoherent scattering, we study a Kondo impurity in an interacting helical edge liquid. A renormalization group analysis shows the existence of an impurity quantum phase transition governed by the Luttinger parameter of the edge liquid between a local helical Fermi liquid with T^6 scaling of the low-temperature conductance, and an insulating strongly correlated phase with fractionally charged emergent excitations. In the presence of a time-reversal symmetry breaking magnetic field, it is known that even coherent scattering can lead to backscattering. Through exact numerical diagonalization we find that nonmagnetic quenched disorder has a strong localizing effect on the edge transport if the disorder strength is comparable to the bulk gap. The predicted magnetoconductance agrees qualitatively with experiment. The last two chapters are devoted to 3D topological insulators. We propose a combined magnetooptical Kerr and Faraday rotation experiment as a universal measure of the Z_2 invariant. Finally, we propose a fractional generalization of 3D topological insulators in strongly correlated systems, characterized by ground state degeneracy on topologically nontrivial spatial 3-manifolds, a quantized fractional bulk magnetoelectric polarizability without time-reversal symmetry breaking, and a halved fractional quantum Hall effect on the surface.

Exotic Particles in Topological Insulators

Exotic Particles in Topological Insulators PDF Author: Rundong Li
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

Get Book Here

Book Description
Recently a new class of quantum state of matter, the time-reversal invariant topological insulators, have been theoretically proposed and experimentally discovered. These topological quantum states of matter are insulating in the bulk, but have gapless edge or surface states protected by the time-reversal symmetry. In particular, topological insulators in three dimensions are characterized by topological field theory which gives rise to the topological magnetoelectric effect, and is analogous to that describing the electromagnetism of the hypothetical particle called axion. In this thesis we will show that in these topologically nontrivial insulators, magnetic monopoles and axions, which are originally postulated in elementary particle physics, may emerge. Firstly we will show that when time-reversal symmetry is broken on the surface of a topological insulator, an electric charge near the surface will induce an image magnetic monopole. The composite particle consisting of an electron and its image monopole forms a dyon and obeys fractional statistics. Secondly, when there is an antiferromagnetic order in the bulk of a topological insulator, the magnetic fluctuations couple to the electromagnetic fields exactly like axions. The physical effect of the dynamical axion and its detection will also be discussed. Then finally we propose transition metal oxide of corundum structure as a candidate for topological magnetic insulators which can give rise to the dynamical axion.

Topology in Condensed Matter

Topology in Condensed Matter PDF Author: Michael I. Monastyrsky
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540312641
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 263

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book reports new results in condensed matter physics for which topological methods and ideas are important. It considers, on the one hand, recently discovered systems such as carbon nanocrystals and, on the other hand, new topological methods used to describe more traditional systems such as the Fermi surfaces of normal metals, liquid crystals and quasicrystals. The authors of the book are renowned specialists in their fields and present the results of ongoing research, some of it obtained only very recently and not yet published in monograph form.

A Short Course on Topological Insulators

A Short Course on Topological Insulators PDF Author: János K. Asbóth
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319256076
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 176

Get Book Here

Book Description
This course-based primer provides newcomers to the field with a concise introduction to some of the core topics in the emerging field of topological insulators. The aim is to provide a basic understanding of edge states, bulk topological invariants, and of the bulk--boundary correspondence with as simple mathematical tools as possible. The present approach uses noninteracting lattice models of topological insulators, building gradually on these to arrive from the simplest one-dimensional case (the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model for polyacetylene) to two-dimensional time-reversal invariant topological insulators (the Bernevig-Hughes-Zhang model for HgTe). In each case the discussion of simple toy models is followed by the formulation of the general arguments regarding topological insulators. The only prerequisite for the reader is a working knowledge in quantum mechanics, the relevant solid state physics background is provided as part of this self-contained text, which is complemented by end-of-chapter problems.

Topological Insulators

Topological Insulators PDF Author: Panagiotis Kotetes
Publisher: Morgan & Claypool Publishers
ISBN: 1681745178
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 216

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book provides an introduction to topological matter with a focus on insulating bulk systems. A number of prerequisite concepts and tools are first laid out, including the notion of symmetry transformations, the band theory of semiconductors and aspects of electronic transport. The main part of the book discusses realistic models for both time-reversal-preserving and -violating topological insulators, as well as their characteristic responses to external perturbations. Special emphasis is given to the study of the anomalous electric, thermal, and thermoelectric transport properties, the theory of orbital magnetisation, and the polar Kerr effect. The topological models studied throughout this book become unified and generalised by means of the tenfold topological-classification framework and the respective systematic construction of topological invariants. This approach is further extended to topological superconductors and topological semimetals. This book covers a wide range of topics and aims at the transparent presentation of the technical aspects involved. For this purpose, homework problems are also provided in dedicated Hands-on sections. Given its structure and the required background level of the reader, this book is particularly recommended for graduate students or researchers who are new to the field.