Bloch band structures and linear response theory of nonlinear systems

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the Bloch bands and develop a linear response theory for nonlinear systems, where the interplay between topological parameters and nonlinearity leads to new band structures. The nonlinear system under consideration is described by the Qi–Wu–Zhang model with Kerr-type nonlinearity, which can be treated as a nonlinear version of Chern insulator. We explore the eigenenergies of the Hamiltonian and discuss its Bloch band structures as well as the condition of gap closing. A cone structure in the ground Bloch band and tubed structure in the excited Bloch band is found. We also numerically calculate the linear response of the nonlinear Chern insulator to external fields, finding that these new band structures break the condition of adiabatic evolution and make the linear response not quantized. This feature of response can be understood by examining the dynamics of the nonlinear system.