Magnetic moir\'e surface states and flat chern band in topological insulators

Abstract

We theoretically study the effect of magnetic moir\'e superlattice on the topological surface states by introducing a continuum model of Dirac electrons with a single Dirac cone moving in the time-reversal symmetry breaking periodic pontential. The Zeeman-type moir\'e potentials generically gap out the moir\'e surface Dirac cones and give rise to isolated flat Chern minibands with Chern number $\pm1$. This result provides a promising platform for realizing the time-reversal breaking correlated topological phases. In a $C_6$ periodic potential, when the scalar $U_0$ and Zeeman $\Delta_1$ moir\'e potential strengths are equal to each other, we find that energetically the first three bands of $\Gamma$-valley moir\'e surface electrons are non-degenerate and realize i) an $s$-orbital model on a honeycomb lattice, ii) a degenerate $p_x,p_y$-orbitals model on a honeycomb lattice, and iii) a hybridized $sd^2$-orbital model on a kagome lattice, where moir\'e surface Dirac cones in these bands emerge. When $U_0\neq\Delta_1$, the difference between the two moir\'e potential serves as an effective spin-orbit coupling and opens a topological gap in the emergent moir\'e surface Dirac cones.