Paper detail

Bulk Topological Invariants in Noninteracting Point Group Symmetric Insulators

We survey various quantized bulk physical observables in two- and three-dimensional topological band insulators invariant under translational symmetry and crystallographic point group symmetries (PGS). In two-dimensional insulators, we show that: (i) the Chern number of a $C_n$-invariant insulator can be determined, up to a multiple of $n$, by evaluating the eigenvalues of symmetry operators at high-symmetry points in the Brillouin zone; (ii) the Chern number of a $C_n$-invariant insulator is also determined, up to a multiple of $n$, by the $C_n$ eigenvalue of the Slater determinant of a noninteracting many-body system and (iii) the Chern number vanishes in insulators with dihedral point groups $D_n$, and the quantized electric polarization is a topological invariant for these insulators. In three-dimensional insulators, we show that: (i) only insulators with point groups $C_n$, $C_{nh}$ and $S_n$ PGS can have nonzero 3D quantum Hall coefficient and (ii) only insulators with improper rotation symmetries can have quantized magnetoelectric polarization $P_3$ in the term $P_3\mathbf{E}\cdot\mathbf{B}$, the axion term in the electrodynamics of the insulator (medium).

preprint2012arXivOpen access

Signal facts

What is known right now

Open access3 authors1 topic

Next steps

Decide what to do with this paper

Use like or dislike for the fast social read. The more specific scholarly feedback stays available below when needed.

Log in to curate

Reading frame

Keep the important context close to the paper

Keep the important signals around this paper in one place: votes, save state, collection context, reviews and the metadata you need before deciding what to do next.

Institutions

Add specific reaction

Move through the context

Research map

Open full explorer

Move through nearby people, institutions, topics and adjacent work without leaving the paper page.

Building this map preview

BZPEER is loading the nearby papers, people, topics and institutions for this page.

Structured reviews

0 review(s)

ContributeLeave structured feedbackUse the review template when you have a concrete strength, concern or method question.Open review form

No structured reviews yet. High-signal critique starts here.

Work discussion

0 comment(s)

DiscussAdd a high-signal commentKeep quick notes, caveats and replication pointers separate from formal reviews.Open comment form

No discussion yet. The first strong comment sets the tone.