Ask a Question

Prefer a chat interface with context about you and your work?

Topological invariants of time-reversal-invariant band structures

Topological invariants of time-reversal-invariant band structures

The topological invariants of a time-reversal-invariant band structure in two dimensions are multiple copies of the ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ invariant found by Kane and Mele. Such invariants protect the ``topological insulator'' phase and give rise to a spin Hall effect carried by edge states. Each pair of bands related by time reversal …