Topological Origin of Intrinsic High Chern Numbers in Two-Dimensional M$_2$X$_2$ Materials

Fuente: arXiv
Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dai, Zujian, Zhu, Xudong, He, Lixin
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866909775591112704
author Dai, Zujian
Zhu, Xudong
He, Lixin
author_facet Dai, Zujian
Zhu, Xudong
He, Lixin
contents Despite sharing a common lattice structure, monolayer M$_2$X$_2$ compounds realize quantum anomalous Hall phases with distinct Chern numbers, a striking phenomenon that has not been fully exploared. Combining first-principles calculations with symmetry analysis and tight-binding models, we identify two generic band-inversion mechanisms governed by the orbital composition and symmetry representations of 3$d$ states near the Fermi level. When $d_{xz}/d_{yz}$ orbtials dominate, a doubly degenerate $Γ$-point inversion yields $C=1$; otherwise, inversions occur along $Γ$-X and $Γ$-Y at four $C_4$-related momenta, whose Berry-curvature contributions add to give $C=2$, distinct from scenarios relying on multiple bands inversions at a single $\mathbf{k}$ point. The same mechanism consistently explains related two-dimensional systems, including LiFeSe, KTiSb, MgFeP, and Janus M$_2$X$_2$ derivatives. The mechanism provide practical guidance for screening and engineering tunable high-Chern-number insulators.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_06288
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Topological Origin of Intrinsic High Chern Numbers in Two-Dimensional M$_2$X$_2$ Materials
Dai, Zujian
Zhu, Xudong
He, Lixin
Materials Science
Despite sharing a common lattice structure, monolayer M$_2$X$_2$ compounds realize quantum anomalous Hall phases with distinct Chern numbers, a striking phenomenon that has not been fully exploared. Combining first-principles calculations with symmetry analysis and tight-binding models, we identify two generic band-inversion mechanisms governed by the orbital composition and symmetry representations of 3$d$ states near the Fermi level. When $d_{xz}/d_{yz}$ orbtials dominate, a doubly degenerate $Γ$-point inversion yields $C=1$; otherwise, inversions occur along $Γ$-X and $Γ$-Y at four $C_4$-related momenta, whose Berry-curvature contributions add to give $C=2$, distinct from scenarios relying on multiple bands inversions at a single $\mathbf{k}$ point. The same mechanism consistently explains related two-dimensional systems, including LiFeSe, KTiSb, MgFeP, and Janus M$_2$X$_2$ derivatives. The mechanism provide practical guidance for screening and engineering tunable high-Chern-number insulators.
title Topological Origin of Intrinsic High Chern Numbers in Two-Dimensional M$_2$X$_2$ Materials
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.06288