Abstract
We prove that curvature effects in low-dimensional nanomaterials can promote the generation of topological states of matter by considering the paradigmatic example of quantum wires with Rashba spin-orbit coupling, which are bent in a nanoscale periodic serpentine structure. The effect of the periodic curvature generally results in the appearance of insulating phases with a corresponding novel butterfly spectrum characterized by the formation of finite measure complex regions of forbidden energies. When the Fermi energy lies in the gaps, the system displays localized end states protected by topology. We further show that for certain superstructure periods the system possesses topologically nontrivial insulating phases at half filling. Our results suggest that the local curvature and the topology of the electronic states are inextricably intertwined in geometrically deformed nanomaterials.
Highlights
We prove that curvature effects in low-dimensional nanomaterials can promote the generation of topological states of matter by considering the paradigmatic example of quantum wires with Rashba spinorbit coupling, which are bent in a nanoscale periodic serpentine structure
Our results suggest that the local curvature and the topology of the electronic states are inextricably intertwined in geometrically deformed nanomaterials
Nontrivial electronic phases were discovered in time-reversal invariant insulators—leading to the quantum spin Hall (QSH) effect in two-dimensional systems [4,5,6], and to the existence of protected two-dimensional Dirac cones on the surface of three-dimensional topological insulators [7,8,9,10]—as well as in insulators with additional specific crystal point group symmetries [11]
Summary
Edge States and Topological Insulating Phases Generated by Curving a Nanowire with Rashba Spin-Orbit Coupling We prove that curvature effects in low-dimensional nanomaterials can promote the generation of topological states of matter by considering the paradigmatic example of quantum wires with Rashba spinorbit coupling, which are bent in a nanoscale periodic serpentine structure.
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