Scattering theory of higher order topological phases

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Zijderveld, R. Johanna, Day, Isidora Araya, Akhmerov, Anton R.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2024
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author Zijderveld, R. Johanna
Day, Isidora Araya
Akhmerov, Anton R.
author_facet Zijderveld, R. Johanna
Day, Isidora Araya
Akhmerov, Anton R.
contents The surface states of intrinsic higher order topological phases are protected by the spatial symmetries of a finite sample. This property makes the existing scattering theory of topological invariants inapplicable because the scattering geometry is either incompatible with the symmetry or does not probe the bulk topology. We resolve this obstacle by using a symmetric scattering geometry that probes transport from the inside to the outside of the sample. We demonstrate that the intrinsic higher order topology is captured by the flux dependence of the reflection matrix. Our finding follows from identifying the spectral flow of a flux line as a signature of higher order topology. We show how this scattering approach applies to several examples of higher order topological insulators and superconductors. Our theory provides an alternative approach for proving bulk--edge correspondence in intrinsic higher order topological phases, especially in presence of disorder.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2412_15333
institution arXiv
publishDate 2024
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Scattering theory of higher order topological phases
Zijderveld, R. Johanna
Day, Isidora Araya
Akhmerov, Anton R.
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
The surface states of intrinsic higher order topological phases are protected by the spatial symmetries of a finite sample. This property makes the existing scattering theory of topological invariants inapplicable because the scattering geometry is either incompatible with the symmetry or does not probe the bulk topology. We resolve this obstacle by using a symmetric scattering geometry that probes transport from the inside to the outside of the sample. We demonstrate that the intrinsic higher order topology is captured by the flux dependence of the reflection matrix. Our finding follows from identifying the spectral flow of a flux line as a signature of higher order topology. We show how this scattering approach applies to several examples of higher order topological insulators and superconductors. Our theory provides an alternative approach for proving bulk--edge correspondence in intrinsic higher order topological phases, especially in presence of disorder.
title Scattering theory of higher order topological phases
topic Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2412.15333