Realization of a three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in a Zeeman-induced second order topological insulator on a torus

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in a second-order topological insulator on a torus, driven by hinge states and Zeeman effects, with quantized Hall conductance unaffected by orbital magnetic effects.

Contribution

It introduces a new 3D quantum Hall effect mechanism in SOTIs mediated by hinge states and Zeeman effects, distinct from traditional 2D and 3D QHE.

Findings

The 3D-SOTI QHE is unaffected by orbital magnetic effects.

Universal quantization of Hall conductance is demonstrated.

The effect is stable against disorder and surface deformations.

Abstract

We propose a realization of a quantum Hall effect (QHE) in a second-order topological insulator (SOTI) in three dimensions (3D), which is mediated by hinge states on a torus surface. It results from the nontrivial interplay of the material structure, Zeeman effect, and the surface curvature. In contrast to the conventional 2D- and 3D-QHE, we show that the 3D-SOTI QHE is not affected by orbital effects of the applied magnetic field and exists in the presence of a Zeeman term only, induced e.g. by magnetic doping. To explain the 3D-SOTI QHE, we analyze the boundary charge for a 3D-SOTI and establish its universal dependence on the Aharonov-Bohm flux threading through the torus hole. Exploiting the fundamental relation between the boundary charge and the Hall conductance, we demonstrate the universal quantization of the latter, as well as its stability against random disorder potentials and continuous deformations of the torus surface.