Topological quantum phase transition driven by anisotropic spin-orbit coupling in trinuclear organometallic coordination crystals

TL;DR

This paper investigates how anisotropic spin-orbit coupling induces a topological quantum phase transition in organometallic coordination crystals, revealing a transition from a Haldane phase to a trivial phase driven by electronic interactions.

Contribution

It demonstrates the emergence of topological phase transitions in layered organometallic complexes due to anisotropic spin-orbit coupling and electronic correlations.

Findings

Identification of quasi-one-dimensional correlated insulating states at two-thirds filling.

Observation of a quantum phase transition from Haldane to trivial phase with increasing spin-orbit coupling.

Analysis of anisotropic exchange interactions and large trigonal splitting effects.

Abstract

We show how quasi-one-dimensional correlated insulating states arise at two-thirds filling in organometallic multinuclear coordination complexes described by layered decorated honeycomb lattices. The interplay of spin-orbit coupling and electronic correlations leads to pseudospin-1 moments arranged in weakly coupled chains with highly anisotropic exchange and a large trigonal splitting. This leads to a quantum phase transition from a Haldane phase to a topologically trivial phase as the relative strength of the spin-orbit coupling increases.