Systematic study for two-dimensional $Z_2$ topological phase transitions at high-symmetry points in all layer groups

TL;DR

This paper develops a comprehensive theory for $Z_2$ topological phase transitions in two-dimensional systems, analyzing all layer groups and identifying conditions for topological changes at high-symmetry points.

Contribution

It provides a systematic classification of $Z_2$ topological transitions across all 80 layer groups, extending beyond existing symmetry indicator frameworks.

Findings

Identifies 21 layer groups with insulator-to-insulator transitions due to band inversion.

Reduces the problem to five key point groups: $C_3$, $C_4$, $C_6$, $S_4$, and $C_{3h}$.

Determines how $Z_2$ invariants change based on irreducible representations at high-symmetry points.

Abstract

We construct a general theory of $Z_2$ topological phase transitions in two-dimensional systems with time-reversal symmetry. We investigate the possibilities of $Z_2$ topological phase transitions at band inversions at all high-symmetry points in $k$-space in all the 80 layer groups. We exclude the layer groups with inversion symmetry because the $Z_2$ topological phase transition is known to be associated with band inversions with an exchange of parities. Among the other layer groups, we find 21 layer groups with insulator-to-insulator transitions with band inversion, and this problem is finally reduced to five point groups $C_3, C_4, C_6, S_4$, and $C_{3h}$. We show how the change of the $Z_2$ topological invariant at a band inversion is entirely determined by the irreps of occupied and unoccupied bands at the high-symmetry point. For example, in the case of $C_3$, we show that the $Z_2$ topological invariants change whenever the band inversion occurs between two Kramers pairs whose $C_3$ eigenvalues are $\{e^{\pi i / 3}, e^{-\pi i / 3}\}$ and $\{-1, -1\}$. These results are not included in the theory of symmetry-based indicators or topological quantum chemistry.