Topological quantum phase transition driven by anisotropic spin-orbit coupling in trinuclear organometallic coordination crystals

Abstract

We show how quasi-one-dimensional correlated insulating states arise at two-thirds filling in organometallic multinuclear coordination complexes described by layered decorated honeycomb lattices. The interplay of spin-orbit coupling and electronic correlations leads to pseudospin-1 moments arranged in weakly coupled chains with highly anisotropic exchange and a large trigonal splitting. This leads to a quantum phase transition from a Haldane phase to a topologically trivial phase as the relative strength of the spin-orbit coupling increases.