Edge solitons of topological insulators and fractionalized quasiparticles in two dimensions

Abstract

An important characteristic of topological band insulators is the necessary presence of in-gap edge states on the sample boundary. We utilize this fact to show that when the boundary is reconnected with a twist, there are always zero-energy defect states. This provides a natural connection between novel defects in the two-dimensional $p_x+i{p}_y$ superconductor, the Kitaev model, the fractional quantum Hall effect, and the one-dimensional domain wall of polyacetylene.

4 pages, 4 figures. The figures have been revised. accepted for publication by Physical Review Letters