Inversion-symmetry protected chiral hinge states in stacks of doped quantum Hall layers

Abstract

We prove the existence of higher-order topological insulators with protected chiral hinge modes in quasi-two-dimensional systems made out of coupled layers stacked in an inversion-symmetric manner. In particular, we show that an external magnetic field drives a stack of alternating p- and n-doped buckled honeycomb layers into a higher-order topological phase, characterized by a non-trivial three-dimensional ${\mathbb{Z}}_2$ invariant. We identify silicene multilayers as a potential material platform for the experimental detection of this novel topological insulating phase.

7 pages, 5 figures