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Interaction induced topological protection in one-dimensional conductors. (English) Zbl 1371.82166

Summary: We discuss two one-dimensional model systems – the first is a single channel quantum wire with Ising anisotropy, while the second is two coupled helical edge states. We show that the two models are governed by the same low energy effective field theory, and interactions drive both systems to exhibit phases which are metallic, but with all single particle excitations gapped. We show that such states may be either topological or trivial; in the former case, the system demonstrates gapless end states, and insensitivity to disorder.

MSC:

82D77 Quantum waveguides, quantum wires
82B20 Lattice systems (Ising, dimer, Potts, etc.) and systems on graphs arising in equilibrium statistical mechanics
82B26 Phase transitions (general) in equilibrium statistical mechanics
82D35 Statistical mechanics of metals
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