paper

Topological phases in the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model

arXiv:1709.03788 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.97.045106

Abstract

We address the conditions required for a topological classification in the most general form of the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. Any chirally-symmetric SSH model will possess a "conjugated-pseudo-Hermiticity" which we show is responsible for a quantized "complex" Berry phase. Consequently, we provide the first example where the complex Berry phase of a band is used as a quantized invariant to predict the existence of gapless edge modes in a non-Hermitian model. The chirally-broken, -symmetric model is studied; we suggest an explanation for why the topological invariant is a global property of the Hamiltonian. A geometrical picture is provided by examining eigenvector evolution on the Bloch sphere. We justify our analysis numerically and discuss relevant applications.

arXiv comment8 pages (PRB, in press)

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