Topological finite size effect in one-dimensional chiral symmetric systems

Abstract

Topological phases of matter have been widely studied for their robustness against impurities and disorder. The broad applicability of topological materials relies on the reliable transition from idealized, mathematically perfect models to finite, real-world implementations. In this paper, we explore the effects of finite size and disorders on topological properties. We propose a new criterion for characterizing finite topological systems based on the bulk conductivity of topological edge modes. We analyze the behavior of bulk conductivity and real space topological invariants both analytically and numerically for the family of SSH models. We show that our approach offers practical insights for topology determination in contemporary intermediate scale experimental applications.