Absence of topological insulator phases in non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonians

作者:Hu Yi Chen*; Hughes Taylor L
来源:Physical Review B, 2011, 84(15): 153101.
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.84.153101

摘要

In this work, we consider a generalization of the symmetry classification of topological insulators to non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, which satisfy a combined PT symmetry (parity and time reversal). We show via examples and explicit proofs from separate bulk and gapless boundary-state perspectives that the typical paradigm of forming topological insulator states from Dirac Hamiltonians is not compatible with the construction of non-Hermitian PT-symmetric Hamiltonians. The topological insulator states are PT-breaking phases and have energy spectra that are complex (not real) and, thus, are not consistent quantum theories.

  • 出版日期2011-10-7