Synchronous and asynchronous Mott transitions in topological insulator ribbons

Medhi, Amal and Shenoy, VijayB and Krishnamurthy, HR (2012) Synchronous and asynchronous Mott transitions in topological insulator ribbons. In: PHYSICAL REVIEW B, 85 (23).

PDF APS_jou_phy_rev_b_85_23_2012.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (715kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

We address how the nature of linearly dispersing edge states of two-dimensional (2D) topological insulators evolves with increasing electron-electron correlation engendered by a Hubbard-like on-site repulsion U in finite ribbons of two models of topological band insulators. Using an inhomogeneous cluster slave-rotor mean-field method developed here, we show that electronic correlations drive the topologically nontrivial phase into a Mott insulating phase via two different routes. In a synchronous transition, the entire ribbon attains a Mott insulating state at one critical U that depends weakly on the width of the ribbon. In the second, asynchronous route, Mott localization first occurs on the edge layers at a smaller critical value of electronic interaction, which then propagates into the bulk as U is further increased until all layers of the ribbon become Mott localized. We show that the kind of Mott transition that takes place is determined by certain properties of the linearly dispersing edge states which characterize the topological resilience to Mott localization.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	PHYSICAL REVIEW B
Publisher:	AMER PHYSICAL SOC
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to AMER PHYSICAL SOC,
Keywords:	PHASE
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Physics
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2012 11:56
Last Modified:	26 Oct 2018 14:46
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/44823

Actions (login required)

View Item