Surface theorem for the Chern-Simons axion coupling

Thomas Olsen, Maryam Taherinejad, David Vanderbilt, Ivo Souza

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

438 Downloads (Orbit)

Abstract

The Chern-Simons axion coupling of a bulk insulator is only defined modulo a quantum of e2/h. The quantized part of the coupling is uniquely defined for a bounded insulating sample, but it depends on the specific surface termination.Working in a slab geometry and representing the valence bands in terms of hybridWannier functions, we show how to determine that quantized part from the excess Chern number of the hybridWannier sheets located
near the surface of the slab. The procedure is illustrated for a tight-binding model consisting of coupled quantum anomalous Hall layers. By slowly modulating the model parameters it is possible to transfer one unit of Chern number from the bottom to the top surface over the course of a cyclic evolution of the bulk Hamiltonian, changing the surface anomalous Hall conductivity by a quantum of conductance e2/h. When the evolution of the surface Hamiltonian is also cyclic, the Chern pumping is obstructed by chiral touchings between valence and conduction surface bands.
Original languageEnglish
Article number075137
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume95
Number of pages14
ISSN2469-9950
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Bibliographical note

©2017 American Physical Society

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Surface theorem for the Chern-Simons axion coupling'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this