A topological characterization of delocalization in a spin-orbit coupling system
Condensed Matter
2009-10-28 v1
Abstract
We show that wavefunctions in a two-dimensional (2D) electron system with spin-orbit coupling can be characterized by a topological quantity--the Chern integer due to the existence of the intrinsic Kramers degeneracy. The localization-delocalization transition in such a system is studied in terms of such a Chern number description, which reproduces the known metal-insulator transition point. The present work suggests a unified picture for various known 2D delocalization phenomena based on the same topological characterization.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/9609147,
title = {A topological characterization of delocalization in a spin-orbit coupling system},
author = {D. N. Sheng and Z. Y. Weng},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/9609147},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
RevTex, 12 pages; Two PostScript figures