Interaction-driven Chern insulating phases in the α − T 3 lattice with Rashba spin-orbit coupling

作者：Shi-Qing Lin, Hui Tan, Pei-Hao Fu, Jun-Feng Liu · 发表于：iScience · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1016/j.isci.2023.107546 · 被引用次数：10 · 研究领域：Topological Materials and Phenomena、Advanced Condensed Matter Physics、Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research

The magnetic interaction is a necessary ingredient to break the time-reversal symmetry in realizing quantum anomalous Hall, or Chern insulating phases. Here, we study topological phases in the α − T 3 model, a minimal theoretical model supporting the flat band, taking account of Rashba spin-orbit coupling and flat-band-induced spontaneous ferromagnetism. By analyzing the interaction-driven phase diagrams, band structures, topological edge states, and topological invariants, we demonstrate that this system offers a platform for realizing a wide range of phases, including normal insulators, semimetals, and Chern insulators. Uniquely, there exist both high-Chern-number insulators and valley-polarized Chern insulators. In the latter phase, edge channels exist in the single valley, leading to nearly 100 % valley polarization. These findings demonstrate the potential of interaction-driven systems in realizing exotic phases and their promising role in future applications in topology electronics and valleytronics.