Z2 spin Hopf insulator: Helical hinge states and returning Thouless pump

Penghao Zhu, A. Alexandradinata, Taylor L. Hughes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We introduce a time-reversal-symmetric analog of the Hopf insulator that we call a spin Hopf insulator. The spin Hopf insulator harbors nontrivial Kane-Mele Z2 invariants on its surfaces, and is the first example of a nonmagnetic delicate topological insulator with spin-orbit coupling. We show that the Kane-Mele Z2 topology on the surface is generically unstable, but can be stabilized by the addition of a composition of the particle hole and spatial inversion symmetry. Such a symmetry not only protects the surface Z2 invariant, but also protects gapless helical hinge states on the spin Hopf insulator. Furthermore, we show that, in the presence of fourfold rotational symmetry, the spin Hopf insulator exhibits a returning Thouless pump, as well as surface states on sharp boundary terminations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number115159
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume107
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 15 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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