Advances in Theoretical and Mathematical Physics

Volume 25 (2021)

Number 3

Classification of crystalline topological insulators through $K$-theory

Pages: 723 – 775

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4310/ATMP.2021.v25.n3.a3

Authors

Luuk Stehouwer (Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Jan de Boer (Institute for Theoretical Physics Amsterdam, and Delta Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Jorrit Kruthoff (Institute for Theoretical Physics Amsterdam, and Delta Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Hessel Posthuma (Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Topological phases for free fermions in systems with crystal symmetry are classified by the topology of the valence band viewed as a vector bundle over the Brillouin zone. Additional symmetries, such as crystal symmetries which act non-trivially on the Brillouin zone, or time-reversal symmetry, endow the vector bundle with extra structure. These vector bundles are classified by a suitable version of $K$-theory. While relatively easy to define, these $K$-theory groups are notoriously hard to compute in explicit examples. In this paper we describe in detail how one can compute these $K$-theory groups starting with a decomposition of the Brillouin zone in terms of simple submanifolds on which the symmetries act nicely. The main mathematical tool is the Atiyah–Hirzebruch spectral sequence associated to such a decomposition, which will not only yield the explicit result for several crystal symmetries, but also sheds light on the origin of the topological invariants. This extends results that have appeared in the literature so far.We also describe examples in which this approach fails to directly yield a conclusive answer, and discuss various open problems and directions for future research.

Published 21 March 2022