Topological interface states mediated by spontaneous symmetry breaking

TL;DR

This paper introduces a one-dimensional nonlinear oscillator system that undergoes a topological phase transition driven by spontaneous symmetry breaking, leading to the emergence of topological interface states.

Contribution

It demonstrates how nonlinear systems can host topological phases and links spontaneous symmetry breaking to the formation of topological edge states.

Findings

Topological transition occurs due to spontaneous symmetry breaking.

Topological interface states form in the spectrum of linearized excitations.

Nonlinear systems can support topological phases.

Abstract

We propose a one-dimensional nonlinear system of coupled anharmonic oscillators that dynamically undergoes a topological transition switching from the {disordered} and topologically trivial phase into the nontrivial one due to the spontaneous symmetry breaking. The topological transition is accompanied by the formation of the topological interface state in the spectrum of linearized excitations of the stationary phase. Our findings thus highlight the potential of the nonlinear systems for hosting the topological phases and uncover a fundamental link between the spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism and topological edge states.