Tuning the Chern number of Kitaev quantum spin liquid

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the theoretical possibility of tuning the Chern number in Kitaev quantum spin liquids via external parameters, revealing a continuous phase transition to a higher Chern number gapped phase.

Contribution

It introduces a perturbation theory approach showing how external fields can induce a continuous transition to a higher Chern number phase in Kitaev spin liquids, expanding understanding of topological phase control.

Findings

Continuous phase transition to higher Chern number phase

External tuning parameters can induce topological changes

Perturbation theory predicts accessible gapped phases

Abstract

It is now well understood that non-Kitaev spin interactions can be added to the Kitaev quantum spin liquid by applying external fields. Recent years have seen intensive discussion on the possible phase transitions that these spin interactions induce. In this paper, we will show through the perturbation theory the possibility of accessing a gapped spin liquid phase with a higher Chern number through, in contrast to the cases studied in literature, a continuous phase transition. Such a transition may be induced by external tuning parameters such as electric field and hydrostatic pressure.