Hidden-symmetry-protected quantum pseudo-spin Hall effect in optical lattices

Abstract

We propose a scheme to realize a new Z_2 topological insulator in a square optical lattice. Different from the conventional topological insulator protected by the time-reversal symmetry, here, the optical lattice possesses a novel hidden symmetry, which is responsible for the present Z_2 topological order. With a properly defined pseudo-spin, such a topological insulator is characterized by the helical edge states which exhibits pseudo-spin-momentum locking, so that it can be considered as a quantum pseudo-spin Hall insulator. The Z_2 topological invariant is derived and its experimental detection is discussed as well.