arXiv subjects

Bowen Xia

Publications and source records attributed to Bowen Xia.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

Graph Theorem for Chiral Exact Flat Bands at Charge Neutrality

Chiral exact flat bands (FBs) at charge neutrality have attracted much recent interest, presenting an intriguing condensed-matter system to realize exact many-body phenomena, as specifically shown in "magic angle" twisted bilayer graphene for superconductivity and triangulene-based superatomic graphene for excitonic condensation. Yet, no generic physical model to realize such FBs has been developed. Here we present a new mathematical theorem, called bipartite double cover (BDC) theorem, and prove that the BDC of line-graph (LG) lattices hosts at least two chiral exact FBs of opposite chirality, i.e., yin-yang FBs, centered-around/at charge neutrality (E = 0) akin to the "chiral limit" of twisted bilayer graphene. We illustrate this theorem by mapping it exactly onto tight-binding lattice models of the BDC of LGs of hexagonal lattice for strong topological and of triangular lattice for fragile topological FBs, respectively. Moreover, we use orbital design principle to realize such exotic yin-yang FBs in non-BDC lattices to instigate their real material discovery. This work not only enables the search for exact chiral FBs at zero energy beyond moiré heterostructures, but also opens the door to discovering quantum semiconductor features with FB-enabled strongly correlated carriers.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

Negative Interatomic Spring Constant Manifested by Topological Phonon Flat Band

Phonons as bosons are different from electrons as fermions. Unlike interatomic electron hopping that can be either positive or negative and further tuned by spin-orbit coupling, interatomic spring constant is positive, or the structure of atomic lattices would be dynamically unstable. Surprisingly, we found that topological phonon flat bands (FBs) can manifest either a positive or negative interatomic spring constant that couples the FB-modes of opposite chirality, as exemplified by first-principles calculations of a 2D material of Kagome-BN. To reveal its physical origin, we first establish a fundamental correspondence between a collective lattice-coupling (CLC) variable of two quasi-particle states (e.g., electronic states or phonon modes) of opposite parity in a periodic lattice with band topology. Topological semimetals arise with zero CLC at special k-points protected by symmetry; while positive and negative CLC at these k-points gives rise to normal and topological insulators, respectively. Then, we show topological FB has a special form of CLC that vanishes at all k-points as characterized by its real-space wave function, and multi-atom FB phonon mode can manifest effectively a negative interatomic spring constant. Our findings shed new light on our fundamental understanding of topology and provide a practical design principle for creating artificial bosonic topological states.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Three-dimensional Dirac Phonons with Inversion Symmetry

Dirac semimetals associated with bulk Dirac fermions are well-known in topological electronic systems. In sharp contrast, three-dimensional (3D) Dirac phonons in crystalline solids are still unavailable. Here we perform symmetry arguments and first-principles calculations to systematically investigate 3D Dirac phonons in all space groups with inversion symmetry. The results show that there are two categories of 3D Dirac phonons depending on their protection mechanisms and positions in momentum space. The first category originates from the four-dimensional irreducible representations at the high symmetry points. The second category arises from the phonon branch inversion, and the symmetry guarantees Dirac points to be located along the high symmetry lines. Furthermore, we reveal that non-symmorphic symmetries and the combination of inversion and time-reversal symmetries play essential roles in the emergence of 3D Dirac phonons. Our work not only offers a comprehensive understanding of 3D Dirac phonons but also provides significant guidance for exploring Dirac bosons in both phononic and photonic systems.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2019

Rational design principles of quantum anomalous Hall effect from superlattice-like magnetic topological insulators

As one of paradigmatic phenomena in condensed matter physics, the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) in stoichiometric Chern insulators has drawn great interest for years. By using model Hamiltonian analysis and first-principle calculations, we establish a topological phase diagram and map on it with different two-dimensional configurations, which is taken from the recently-grown magnetic topological insulators MnBi4Te7 and MnBi6Te10 with superlattice-like stacking patterns. These configurations manifest various topological phases, including quantum spin Hall effect with and without time-reversal symmetry, as well as QAHE. We then provide design principles to trigger QAHE by tuning experimentally accessible knobs, such as slab thickness and magnetization. Our work reveals that superlattice-like magnetic topological insulators with tunable exchange interaction serve as an ideal platform to realize the long-sought QAHE in pristine compounds, paving a new avenue within the area of topological materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Large Band Gap Quantum Anomalous Hall Phase in Hexagonal Organometallic Frameworks

The nontrivial band gap plays a critical role in quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulators. In this work, we propose that the intrinsic QAH phase with sizable band gaps up to 367 meV is achieved in two-dimensional hexagonal organometallic frameworks (HOMFs). Based on first-principles calculations and effective model analysis, we uncover that these large band gaps in transition metal based HOMFs are opened by strong spin-orbital coupling of the localized 4d or 5d electrons. Importantly, we reveal that Coulomb correlations can further significantly enhance the nontrivial band gaps. In addition, we suggest a possible avenue to grow these organometallic QAH insulators on a semiconducting SiC(111) substrate, and the topological features are perfectly preserved due to the van der Waals interaction. Our work shows that the correlation remarkably enhances the nontrivial band gaps, providing exotic candidates to realize the QAH states at high temperatures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗