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Möbius Insulator and Higher-Order Topology in MnBi_{2n}Te_{3n+1}
Rui-Xing Zhang1, Fengcheng Wu1, S Das Sarma1
1Condensed Matter Theory Center and Joint Quantum Institute, Department of Physics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-4111, USA.
Abstract:
We propose MnBi_{2n}Te_{3n+1} as a magnetically tunable platform for realizing various symmetry-protected higher-order topology. Its canted antiferromagnetic phase can host exotic topological surface states with a Möbius twist that are protected by nonsymmorphic symmetry. Moreover, opposite surfaces hosting Möbius fermions are connected by one-dimensional chiral hinge modes, which offers the first material candidate of a higher-order topological Möbius insulator. We uncover a general mechanism to feasibly induce this exotic physics by applying a small in-plane magnetic field to the antiferromagnetic topological insulating phase of MnBi_{2n}Te_{3n+1}, as well as other proposed axion insulators. For other magnetic configurations, two classes of inversion-protected higher-order topological phases are ubiquitous in this system, which both manifest gapped surfaces and gapless chiral hinge modes. We systematically discuss their classification, microscopic mechanisms, and experimental signatures. Remarkably, the magnetic-field-induced transition between distinct chiral hinge mode configurations provides an effective "topological magnetic switch".
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