Localization in a quantum spin Hall system

Abstract

Localization problem of electronic states in a two-dimensional quantum spin Hall system (QSH - a symplectic model with a non-trivial topological structure) is studied by the transfer matrix method. The phase diagram in the plane of energy and disorder strength is exposed, and demonstrates "levitation" and "pair-annihilation" of the domains of extended states analogous to that of the integer quantum Hall system. The critical exponent $\nu$ for the divergence of the localization length is estimated as $\nu \cong 1.6$ which is distinct from both exponents pertaining to the conventional symplectic and the unitary quantum Hall systems. This strongly suggests a different universality class related to the non-trivial topology of the QSH system.