Abstract
Topological insulators are a new class of materials that have attracted significant attention in contemporary condensed matter physics. They are different from regular insulators, and they display novel quantum properties that involve the idea of ‘topology’, an area of mathematics. Some of the fundamental concepts behind topological insulators, particularly in low-dimensional condensed matter systems such as poly-acetylene chains, can be understood using a simple one-dimensional toy model popularly known as the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. This model can also be used as an introduction to the topological insulators of higher dimensions. Here, we give a concise description of the SSH model along with a brief review of the background physics and attempt to understand the ideas of topological invariants, edge states, and bulk-boundary correspondence using the model.
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8. Acknowledgements
The idea of writing a review article on this topic originated during a discussion in the class of PHY665 (Quantum Phases of Matter and Phase Transitions—fall 2018) at IISER Mohali.
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Navketan Batra recently finished his BS-MS at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali and will be starting his graduate studies at Brown University, RI, USA in fall 2020. He is interested in theoretical condensed matter physics, particularly topological phases.
Goutam Sheet is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Mohali.
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Batra, N., Sheet, G. Physics with Coffee and Doughnuts. Reson 25, 765–786 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-020-0995-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-020-0995-x