Topology of chalcogen chains

Abstract

We investigate the topological properties of the helical atomic chains occurring in elemental selenium and tellurium. We postulate a realistic model that includes spin-orbit interaction and show this to be topologically non-trivial, with a topological invariant protected by a crystalline symmetry. We describe the end-states, which are orbitally polarized, with an orbital density modulation strongly peaked at the edge. Furthermore, we propose a simplified model that decomposes into three orbital chains, allowing us to define a topological invariant protected by a crystalline symmetry. We contrast this result with recent observations made for the orbital Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model containing a $p$-orbital zigzag chain.

10 figures

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Cited by in corpus (4)

• Large shift current, $\pi$ Zak phase and unconventional nature in Se and Te
• Dirac surface states, multiorbital dimerization and superconductivity in Nb- and Ta-based A15 compounds
• Light-induced renormalization of the band structure of chiral tellurium
• Third-order Orbital Corner State and its Realization in Acoustic Crystals