Knitting quantum knots: Topological phase transitions in Two-Dimensional systems

TL;DR

This paper explores topological phase transitions in 2D systems, revealing how buckling induces transitions from semi-metallic to HOTI phases, and proposes a topologically protected quantized switch based on these properties.

Contribution

It demonstrates that buckling in 2D honeycomb Group-V systems induces topological phase transitions to HOTI phases protected by symmetry, linking Dirac fermion annihilation to topological insulator states.

Findings

Buckling causes Dirac cone merging and annihilation at critical angles.

The insulating state is a higher-order topological insulator (HOTI).

A topologically protected quantized switch is proposed.

Abstract

We start by describing a symmetry enforced nodal line semi-metal (NLSM) in the 2D flat form of honeycomb Group - V and its non trivial thermo-electric response. We will then proceed to show that, upon buckling, the system undergoes its dirac-merging phase transitions. Further buckling leads to these unpinned Dirac cones annihilating in pairs at two distinct critical angle leading to a second topological phase transition to an insulating state. We then show that this seemingly innocuous insulating state is indeed a weak topological crystalline insulator. Furthermore, upon closer look, this insulating state turns out to be a Higher Order Topological Insulator (HOTI) that is protected by $\mathcal{S}_6$ symmetry. In a broader context, we will see that the the topological properties of buckled Group - $V$ stem from the fact that they topologically belong to the class of Obstructed Atomic Limit (OAL) insulators. Combining all these, we will prove that annihilating pairs of Dirac fermions necessitate a topological phase transition from the critical semi-metallic phase to an OAL insulator phase. We also uncover the rich set of phases in the phase diagram in case of annihilating Dirac fermions and study their entanglement properties using entanglement entropy. Finally, based on the non-trivial topology of these systems, we propose the conceptual design of a quantized switch that is protected by topology. Last part of the thesis involves the remarkable discovery of a spin polarized 2D electron/hole gas at the surfaces of a well known system - LiCoO2.