Magnetic topological phases in the double exchange model with spin–orbit coupling

Abstract

The double exchange model with the spin–orbit coupling is studied by the dynamical mean field theory. It reveals a competition between the magnetic, charge orderings and the non-trivial topology of the ground state. The spin exchange tends to maintain the magnetic ordering, and at the same time it tries to suppress the charge ordering. The spin–orbit coupling maintains nontrivial topology of the ground state, whereas the magnetic ordering tries to destroy it. As a result, a rich phase diagram is obtained. The competition leads to a half topological ground state, where spin-up electrons form a nontrivial topological state, while spin-down electrons are in the topological trivial insulating state.