Non-uniform electric response in Chern insulators

ORAL

Abstract

We consider the current response of finite width strips in Chern insulator systems with non-flat Berry curvature. The response to a slowly spatially varying electric potential of the hybrid Wannier centers in the strip gives the charge polarization to lowest sub-leading order in the external field. We show how this is a result of the quantum geometry of the Chern insulator. Higher order response may provide insight into the projected density algebra of the Chern insulator which controls fractional state stability.

*A. B. and R. R. acknowledge support from the NSF under CAREER DMR-1455368.

Presenters

  • Albert Brown

    • Univ of California - Los Angeles

Authors

  • Albert Brown

    • Univ of California - Los Angeles
  • Rahul Roy

    • Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, Univ of California - Los Angeles
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles
    • Univ of California - Los Angeles