Failure of Nielsen-Ninomiya theorem and fragile topology in two-dimensional systems with space-time inversion symmetry: application to twisted bilayer graphene at magic angle

TL;DR

This paper reveals that the topology of nearly flat bands in twisted bilayer graphene at magic angle is governed by the Euler class, leading to a failure of the Nielsen-Ninomiya theorem and implications for Wannier representations and topological phase transitions.

Contribution

It demonstrates the role of the Euler class in classifying real two-band systems with space-time inversion symmetry and explores the topological consequences in twisted bilayer graphene.

Findings

Nonzero Euler class prevents $I_{ST}$-symmetric Wannier representations.

The Nielsen-Ninomiya theorem fails for systems with nonzero Euler class.

Topological phase transitions involve vortex pair creation and annihilation.

Abstract

We show that the Wannier obstruction and the fragile topology of the nearly flat bands in twisted bilayer graphene at magic angle are manifestations of the nontrivial topology of two-dimensional real wave functions characterized by the Euler class. To prove this, we examine the generic band topology of two dimensional real fermions in systems with space-time inversion $I_{ST}$ symmetry. The Euler class is an integer topological invariant classifying real two band systems. We show that a two-band system with a nonzero Euler class cannot have an $I_{ST}$-symmetric Wannier representation. Moreover, a two-band system with the Euler class $e_{2}$ has band crossing points whose total winding number is equal to $-2e_2$. Thus the conventional Nielsen-Ninomiya theorem fails in systems with a nonzero Euler class. We propose that the topological phase transition between two insulators carrying distinct Euler classes can be described in terms of the pair creation and annihilation of vortices accompanied by winding number changes across Dirac strings. When the number of bands is bigger than two, there is a $Z_{2}$ topological invariant classifying the band topology, that is, the second Stiefel Whitney class ($w_2$). Two bands with an even (odd) Euler class turn into a system with $w_2=0$ ($w_2=1$) when additional trivial bands are added. Although the nontrivial second Stiefel-Whitney class remains robust against adding trivial bands, it does not impose a Wannier obstruction when the number of bands is bigger than two. However, when the resulting multi-band system with the nontrivial second Stiefel-Whitney class is supplemented by additional chiral symmetry, a nontrivial second-order topology and the associated corner charges are guaranteed.