Quantum Phase Transition from Dirac Semimetal to Quantum Spin-Hall Insulator

ORAL

Abstract

Employing determinantal quantum Monte Carlo simulations, we design and investigate a lattice model of fermions coupled with Ising fields. By turning the strength of a transverse field, the Ising spins experience a quantum phase transition from a paramagnetic phase to a ferromagnetic phase, which furthermore triggers a topological phase transition between a Dirac semimetal state and a quantum spin-Hall insulating state for the fermionic degrees of freedom. The nature of such an interaction-driven topological phase transition and the associated quantum critical region are fully revealed by the unbiased numerical approach.

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Authors

  • Yuan-Yao He

    Department of Physics, Renmin University of China

  • Xiao Yan Xu

    Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences

  • Kai Sun

    University of Michigan, Univ of Michigan - Ann Arbor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Department of Physics, University of Michigan

  • F. F. Assaad

    Universität Würzburg, Institut fuer Theoretische Physik und Astrophysik,Universitat Wuerzburg, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany, Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astrophysik, Universität Würzburg

  • Zi Yang Meng

    Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, Institute of Physics,Chinese Academy of Sciences

  • Zhong-Yi Lu

    Department of Physics, Renmin University of China