Impact of correlations on topology in Kane-Mele model decorated with impurities

Abstract

We propose an effective model for the study of the interplay between correlation and topology by decorating the Kane-Mele model with a set of localized interacting orbitals hybridized to just one sublattice, breaking the inversion symmetry. We show that in the time-reversal symmetric case, the interplay between interactions and hybridization extends the stability of the topological phase and depending on the driving mechanism very different behaviors are observed after the topological phase transition (TPT). We discuss the fate of the TPT in presence of weak ferromagnetic order, by introducing a weak local magnetic field at the localized orbitals, which splits the two band inversion points. One of the platforms to apply this model to are ferrovalley compounds, which are characterized by two independent band inversion points. Understanding this family of materials is crucial for the development of the valleytronics. An alternative to spintronics, which uses valley polarization as opposed to spin degrees of freedom as the building block, promises great opportunities for the development of information storage.