Topological States Characterized by Mirror Winding Numbers in Graphene with Bond Modulation

Abstract

Localized electrons appear at the zigzag-shaped edge of graphene due to quantum interference. Here we propose a way for harnessing the edge electronic states to make them mobile, by incorporating a topological view point. The manipulation required is to introduce a pattern of strong-weak bonds between neighboring carbon atoms, and to put side by side two graphene sheets with strong-weak alternation conjugating to each other. The electrons with up and down pseudospins propagate in opposite directions at the interface, similar to the prominent quantum spin Hall effect. The system is characterized by a topological index, the mirror winding number, with its root lying in the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model for polymer. Taking this point of view, one is rewarded by several ways for decorating graphene edge which result in similar mobile electronic states with topological protection. This work demonstrates that celebrated nanotechnology can be used to derive topological states.