Second Euler number in four dimensional synthetic matter

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Bouhon, Adrien, Zhu, Yan-Qing, Slager, Robert-Jan, Palumbo, Giandomenico
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2023
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author Bouhon, Adrien
Zhu, Yan-Qing
Slager, Robert-Jan
Palumbo, Giandomenico
author_facet Bouhon, Adrien
Zhu, Yan-Qing
Slager, Robert-Jan
Palumbo, Giandomenico
contents Two-dimensional Euler insulators are novel kind of systems that host multi-gap topological phases, quantified by a quantised first Euler number in their bulk. Recently, these phases have been experimentally realised in suitable two-dimensional synthetic matter setups. Here we introduce the second Euler invariant, a familiar invariant in both differential topology (Chern-Gauss-Bonnet theorem) and in four-dimensional Euclidean gravity, whose existence has not been explored in condensed matter systems. Specifically, we firstly define two specific novel models in four dimensions that support a non-zero second Euler number in the bulk together with peculiar gapless boundary states. Secondly, we discuss its robustness in general spacetime-inversion invariant phases and its role in the classification of topological degenerate real bands through real Grassmannians. In particular, we derive from homotopy arguments the minimal Bloch Hamiltonian form from which the tight-binding models of any second Euler phase can be generated. Considering more concretely the gapped Euler phase associated with the tangent bundle of the four-sphere, we show that the bulk band structure of the nontrivial 4D Euler phase necessarily exhibits triplets of linked nodal surfaces (where the three types of nodal surfaces are formed by the crossing of the three successive pairs of bands within one four-band subspace). Finally, we show how to engineer these new topological phases in a four-dimensional ultracold atom setup. Our results naturally generalize the second Chern and spin Chern numbers to the case of four-dimensional phases that are characterised by real Hamiltonians and open doors for implementing such unexplored higher-dimensional phases in artificial engineered systems, ranging from ultracold atoms to photonics and electric circuits.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2301_08827
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Second Euler number in four dimensional synthetic matter
Bouhon, Adrien
Zhu, Yan-Qing
Slager, Robert-Jan
Palumbo, Giandomenico
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Quantum Gases
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
Two-dimensional Euler insulators are novel kind of systems that host multi-gap topological phases, quantified by a quantised first Euler number in their bulk. Recently, these phases have been experimentally realised in suitable two-dimensional synthetic matter setups. Here we introduce the second Euler invariant, a familiar invariant in both differential topology (Chern-Gauss-Bonnet theorem) and in four-dimensional Euclidean gravity, whose existence has not been explored in condensed matter systems. Specifically, we firstly define two specific novel models in four dimensions that support a non-zero second Euler number in the bulk together with peculiar gapless boundary states. Secondly, we discuss its robustness in general spacetime-inversion invariant phases and its role in the classification of topological degenerate real bands through real Grassmannians. In particular, we derive from homotopy arguments the minimal Bloch Hamiltonian form from which the tight-binding models of any second Euler phase can be generated. Considering more concretely the gapped Euler phase associated with the tangent bundle of the four-sphere, we show that the bulk band structure of the nontrivial 4D Euler phase necessarily exhibits triplets of linked nodal surfaces (where the three types of nodal surfaces are formed by the crossing of the three successive pairs of bands within one four-band subspace). Finally, we show how to engineer these new topological phases in a four-dimensional ultracold atom setup. Our results naturally generalize the second Chern and spin Chern numbers to the case of four-dimensional phases that are characterised by real Hamiltonians and open doors for implementing such unexplored higher-dimensional phases in artificial engineered systems, ranging from ultracold atoms to photonics and electric circuits.
title Second Euler number in four dimensional synthetic matter
topic Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Quantum Gases
General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology
High Energy Physics - Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2301.08827