Dresden 2014 – scientific programme

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TT: Fachverband Tiefe Temperaturen

TT 80: Low-Dimensional Systems - Poster Session

TT 80.2: Poster

Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 15:00–19:00, P2

Symmetry protection in topological insulators: fundamentals and applications — •Stephan Rachel — Institut für Theoretische Physik, TU Dresden

We consider two-dimensional topological insulators as prototypes of symmetry protected topological phases where spin-orbit coupling gives rise to the topological insulator phase. The appearance of additional non-topological terms might cause quantum phase transitions into trivial phases when this topologically trivial term overweights the spin-orbit coupling. Usually such a phase transition is associated with closing of the bulk gap. In contrast, time-reversal symmetry breaking terms immediately destroy the topological phase without closing of the bulk gap unless the axial spin symmetry remains preserved. These findings pave the way for interesting applications in topological nano-ribbons.