Topological edge states in single layers of honeycomb materials with strong spin-orbit coupling

Abstract

We study possible edge states in single layers of honeycomb materials such as $\alpha$-RuCl${}_3$ and A${}_2$IrO${}_3$ (A=Li, Na) with strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC). These two dimensional systems exhibit linearly dispersing one-dimensional (1D) edge states when their 1D boundary forms a zig-zag shape. Using an effective tight-binding model based on first principles band structure calculations including Hubbard U and SOC, we find degenerate edge states at the zone center and zone boundary. The roles of chiral symmetry and time-reversal symmetry are presented. The implications to experimental signatures and the effects of disorder are also discussed.

5 pages, 2 tables, 4 figures

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• Electronically highly cubic conditions for Ru in alpha-RuCl3
• Realizing Haldane Model in Fe-based Honeycomb Ferromagnetic Insulators
• Topological flat bands in time-periodically driven uniaxial strained graphene nanoribbons
• Three-band Hubbard model for Na${}_2$IrO${}_3$: Topological insulator, zigzag antiferromagnet, and Kitaev-Heisenberg material
• Active orbital degree of freedom and potential spin-orbit-entangled moments in Kitaev magnet candidate BaCo${}_2$(AsO${}_4$)${}_2$
• Topological property of a $t_{2g}^5$ system with a honeycomb lattice structure
• First-principles-based calculation of branching ratio for 5$\mathbf{d}$, 4$\mathbf{d}$, and 3$\mathbf{d}$ transition metal systems