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

Article

关键词: HGTE QUANTUM-WELLS;   

DOI  :  10.1103/PhysRevB.84.153101

来源: SCIE

【 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.

【 授权许可】

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