Topological multiferroic phases in the extended Kane-Mele-Hubbard Model in the Hofstadter regime

TL;DR

This paper explores novel topological multiferroic phases in the extended Kane-Mele-Hubbard model under magnetic flux, revealing various symmetry-broken and topologically nontrivial states with potential realizations in 2D materials and optical lattices.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for topological multiferroic phases in the Hofstadter regime of the Kane-Mele-Hubbard model, highlighting new phases induced by magnetic flux and interactions.

Findings

Identification of insulators with magnetic ordering

Discovery of ferrimagnetic Chern insulators with charge order

Many phase transitions involve changes in topological invariants

Abstract

We investigate the new quantum phases on the extended Kane-Mele-Hubbard model of honeycomb lattice in the Hofstadter regime. In this regime, orbital motion of the electrons can induce various topological phases with spontaneously broken symmetries when the spin orbit coupling and electron correlations coexist. Here, we consider the interaction effects in the Kane-Mele model and discuss possible phases in the presence of magnetic field at integer fillings of electrons. In particular, focusing on 2{\pi}/3 magnetic flux per plaquette, the realization of numerous quantum phases are discussed within the mean field framework; insulator with coplanar magnetic ordering, ferrimagnetic Chern insulator with nematic charge order, ferrimagnetic-ferrielectric Chern insulators etc. Many of these phase transitions are also accompanied with the change in the topological invariants of the system. Based on our theoretical study, we propose topological multiferroic phases with a scope of realization in 2D van-der Waals materials and optical lattice system where the significant interplay of magnetic field, spin orbit coupling and interactions can be engineered.