Superconductivity from the condensation of topological defects in a quantum spin-Hall insulator

Yuhai Liu, Zhenjiu Wang, Toshihiro Sato, Martin Hohenadler, Chong Wang, Wenan Guo () and Fakher F. Assaad ()
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Yuhai Liu: Beijing Normal University
Zhenjiu Wang: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
Toshihiro Sato: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
Martin Hohenadler: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland
Chong Wang: Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
Wenan Guo: Beijing Normal University
Fakher F. Assaad: Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract The discovery of quantum spin-Hall (QSH) insulators has brought topology to the forefront of condensed matter physics. While a QSH state from spin-orbit coupling can be fully understood in terms of band theory, fascinating many-body effects are expected if it instead results from spontaneous symmetry breaking. Here, we introduce a model of interacting Dirac fermions where a QSH state is dynamically generated. Our tuning parameter further allows us to destabilize the QSH state in favour of a superconducting state through proliferation of charge-2e topological defects. This route to superconductivity put forward by Grover and Senthil is an instance of a deconfined quantum critical point (DQCP). Our model offers the possibility to study DQCPs without a second length scale associated with the reduced symmetry between field theory and lattice realization and, by construction, is amenable to large-scale fermion quantum Monte Carlo simulations.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10372-0

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