Stable real-space invariants and topology beyond symmetry indicators

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Authors: Yoonseok Hwang, Vaibhav Gupta, Frank Schindler, Luis Elcoro, Zhida Song, Bogdan Andrei Bernevig, Barry Bradlyn
Cited by: 1
References: 82

Abstract

We introduce stable real-space invariants (SRSIs), topological invariants defined from adiabatic deformations between Wannier states, generalizing previously discovered local and composite real-space invariants. SRSIs are $${\mathbb{Z}}$$- and $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{n}$$-valued (n = 2, 4) linear combinations of Wannier state multiplicities characterizing the stable equivalence of atomic insulators. We enumerate all SRSIs in nonmagnetic space groups with and without spin-orbit coupling. $${\mathbb{Z}}$$SRSIs are in one-to-one correspondence with momentum-space symmetry data and thus determine symmetry indicators of topology (SIs). $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{n}$$SRSIs capture real-space information beyond momentum-space symmetry data and SIs. Applying SRSIs to split elementary band representations (EBRs) whose symmetry data decomposes into positive sums of other EBR symmetry data, we diagnose the topology of all 211 cases across 51 space groups except for 8 exceptions in 5 space groups. Our results solidify Topological Quantum Chemistry beyond SIs and momentum-space symmetry data. Finally, we use SRSIs to diagnose an obstructed atomic insulator in a realistic material. The authors introduce stable real-space invariants (SRSIs) that remain invariant under stable, adiabatic deformations of bands. They show that SRSIs provide information beyond symmetry indicators, and that Zn-valued SRSIs provide information inaccessible from momentum-space symmetry data alone.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Distributed and Parallel Computing Systems Scientific Research and Discoveries

Publication details

Journal / source
Nature Communications
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
17
Issue
1
Publication date
11 July 2026
Language
EN