Numerical signatures of topology in disordered insulators

ORAL

Abstract

We investigate a number of numerical signatures which distinguish the topological and trivial phases of disordered insulators. In particular, we consider three dimensional systems with time-reversal symmetry (class AII) and numerically construct a set of maximally commuting spin-like operators using local unitary circuits. The properties of the resulting spin operators may be used to identify the topology of the underlying phase. Using similar methods, we also construct analogues of Wannier functions for disordered systems with symmetry. Finally, we discuss extensions of this approach to other spatial dimensions and symmetry classes.

*D. R., A. B., F. H., X. L. and R. R. acknowledge support from the NSF under CAREER DMR-1455368 and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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Presenters

  • Dominic Reiss

    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles

Authors

  • Dominic Reiss

    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Albert Brown

    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Fenner Harper

    • Physics, University of California at Los Angeles
    • Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles
    • University of California, Los Angeles

  • Xu Liu

    • Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles

  • Rahul Roy

    • Physics, University of California at Los Angeles
    • Physics & Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles
    • Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles
    • University of California, Los Angeles