Z2 topological invariants in two dimensions from quantum Monte Carlo
Abstract
We employ quantum Monte Carlo techniques to calculate the Z2 topological invariant in a two-dimensional model of interacting electrons that exhibits a quantum spin Hall topological insulator phase. In particular, we consider the parity invariant for inversion-symmetric systems, which can be obtained from the bulk's imaginary-time Green's function after an appropriate continuation to zero frequency. This topological invariant is used here in order to study the trivial-band to topological-insulator transitions in an interacting system with spin-orbit coupling and an explicit bond dimerization. We discuss the accessibility and behavior of this topological invariant within quantum Monte Carlo simulations.
- Publication:
-
Physical Review B
- Pub Date:
- May 2013
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.205101
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1303.3425
- Bibcode:
- 2013PhRvB..87t5101L
- Keywords:
-
- 71.27.+a;
- 71.10.Fd;
- 71.30.+h;
- 73.43.-f;
- Strongly correlated electron systems;
- heavy fermions;
- Lattice fermion models;
- Metal-insulator transitions and other electronic transitions;
- Quantum Hall effects;
- Condensed Matter - Strongly Correlated Electrons
- E-Print:
- 7 pages, 6 figures