A classification of magnetic frustration and metamaterials from topology

TL;DR

This paper explores the topological classification of zero modes in frustrated systems and metamaterials, revealing that frustration origins can be understood through topological invariants linked to the rigidity matrix.

Contribution

It introduces a topological framework for classifying frustration in magnets and metamaterials using non-Hermitian matrices and Maxwell counting, expanding the ten-fold way classification.

Findings

Identification of a new vortex-like topological invariant

Development of a three-fold classification scheme

Linking zero modes to topological invariants in various systems

Abstract

We study the relationship between the physics of topology and zero modes in frustrated systems and metama- terials. Zero modes that exist in topological matters are distinct from the ones arising from symmetry breaking. Incidentally, a prominent aspect of frustrated systems and metamaterials also is to harbor such kind of zero modes in form of an accidental degeneracy. Taking cues from these two apparently different phenomena, we ask a simple question: are the robust features of frustration topologically protected and if so can we classify different types of frustration using topology? In answering these questions we invoke the tools of topological mechanics to identify the key agent at play, namely the rigidity matrix, which is a non-Hermitian matrix and decides the topology of spin-wave zero modes in a frustrated magnet or phonon modes in metamaterials. Further developments of the theory rely on combining the recent developments in our understanding of Maxwell constraint counting and generalizing the ten-fold way classification of Hermitian matrices to non-Hermitian matrices. The result is a three-fold way classification for each Maxwell counting index. We illustrate the clas- sification by demonstrating the existence of a new vortex-like invariant for real rigidity matrices using random matrices and through example frustrated spin models. So by classifying all the rigidity matrices, we answer the question of the origin of frustration (i.e. zero modes in the form of accidental degeneracy) in a wide class of frustrated magnets and metamaterials by linking it to topological invariants.