Nonlinear orbital response across topological phase transition in centrosymmetric materials

Abstract

Nonlinear optical responses are often used as a probe for studying electronic properties of materials. For topological materials, studies so far focused on the photogalvanic electric current, which requires breaking inversion symmetry. In this work we present a theory of orbital current response in inversion-symmetric topological insulators. We find a symmetry-allowed orbital current response that occurs in centrosymmetric materials under illumination by linearly polarized light. The sign of the dc nonlinear conductivity reflects the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ index and the conductivity changes sign at the transition between trivial and topological insulator phases. We derive an expression for the nonlinear orbital photocurrent for a general class of models with two doubly degenerate bands, and discuss its specific applications in the cases of the Bernevig-Hughes-Zhang model and the 1T' phase of transition metal dichalcogenides. Experimental setups for observation of the orbital current are also discussed.