Three-dimensional topological phases in a layered honeycomb spin-orbital model

Abstract

We present an exactly solvable spin-orbital model based on the Gamma-matrix generalization of a Kitaev-type Hamiltonian. In the presence of small magnetic fields, the model exhibits a critical phase with a spectrum characterized by topologically protected Fermi points. Upon increasing the magnetic field, Fermi points carrying opposite topological charges move toward each other and annihilate at a critical field, signaling a phase transition into a gapped phase with trivial topology in three dimensions. On the other hand, by subjecting the system to a staggered magnetic field, an effective time-reversal symmetry essential to the existence of three-dimensional topological insulators is restored in the auxiliary free fermion problem. The nontrivial topology of the gapped ground state is characterized by an integer winding number and manifests itself through the appearance of gapless Majorana fermions confined to the two-dimensional surface of a finite system.

10 pages, 5 figures

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• An exactly solvable BCS-Hubbard Model in arbitrary dimensions
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• Determining quantum phase diagrams of topological Kitaev-inspired models on NISQ quantum hardware
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• Power-Law Behavior of Bond Energy Correlators in a Kitaev-type Model with a Stable Parton Fermi Surface
• Vison crystals, chiral and crystalline phases in the Yao-Lee model
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• Edge states and topological properties of electrons on the bismuth on silicon surface with giant spin-orbit coupling
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• Pristine Mott Insulator from an Exactly Solvable Spin-1/2 Kitaev Model
• Lacing topological orders in two dimensions: exactly solvable models for Kitaev's sixteen-fold way
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