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Local topological phase transitions in periodic condensed matter systems

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Abstract

Topological properties of a periodic condensed matter system are global features of its Brillouin zone (BZ). In contrast, the validity of effective low energy theories is usually limited to the vicinity of a high symmetry point in the BZ. We derive a general criterion under which the control parameter of a topological phase transition localizes the topological defect in an arbitrarily small neighbourhood of a single point in k-space upon approaching its critical value. Such a local phase transition is associated with a Dirac-like gap closing point, whereas a flat band transition is not localized in k-space. This mechanism and its limitations are illustrated with the help of experimentally relevant examples such as HgTe/CdTe quantum wells and bilayer graphene nanostructures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, University of Würzburg, 97074, Würzburg, Germany

    J. C. Budich & B. Trauzettel

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  1. J. C. Budich
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  2. B. Trauzettel
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Correspondence to J. C. Budich.

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Budich, J.C., Trauzettel, B. Local topological phase transitions in periodic condensed matter systems. Eur. Phys. J. B 85, 94 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2012-21057-8

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