CMD30 FisMat2023 - Submission - View

Abstract title: Realization of a three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in a Zeeman-induced second order topological insulator on a torus
Submitting author: Mikhail Pletyukhov
Affiliation: RWTH Aachen University
Affiliation Address: Institute for Theory of Statistical Physics Sommerfeldstr. 16 52074 Aachen Germany
Country: Germany
Other authors and affiliations: Zhe Hou (Department of Physics, University of Basel), Clara Weber (RWTH Aachen University), Dante Kennes (RWTH Aachen University and MPI Hamburg), Daniel Loss (Department of Physics, University of Basel), Herbert Schoeller (RWTH Aachen University), Jelena Klinovaja (Department of Physics, University of Basel)
Abstract
We propose a realization of a quantum Hall effect (QHE) in a second-order topological insulator (SOTI) in three dimensions (3D), which is mediated by hinge states on a torus surface. It results from the nontrivial interplay of the material structure, Zeeman effect, and the surface curvature. In contrast to the conventional 2D- and 3D-QHE, we show that the 3D-SOTI QHE is not affected by orbital effects of the applied magnetic field and exists in the presence of a Zeeman term only, induced e.g. by magnetic doping. To explain the 3D-SOTI QHE, we analyze the boundary charge for a 3D-SOTI and establish its universal dependence on the Aharonov-Bohm flux threading through the torus hole. Exploiting the fundamental relation between the boundary charge and the Hall conductance, we demonstrate the universal quantization of the latter, as well as its stability against random disorder potentials and continuous deformations of the torus surface.