Bound States of Conical Singularities in Graphene-Based Topological Insulators

Abstract

We investigate the electronic structure induced by wedge-disclinations (conical singularities) in a honeycomb lattice model realizing Chern numbers $γ=\pm 1$. We establish a correspondence between the bound state of (i) an isolated $Φ_0/2$-flux, (ii) an isolated pentagon $(n=1)$ or heptagon $(n=-1)$ defect with an external flux of magnitude $nγΦ_0/4$ through the center and (iii) an isolated square or octagon defect without external flux, where $Φ_0=h/e$ is the flux quantum. Due to the above correspondence, the existence of isolated electronic states bound to the disclinations is robust against various perturbations. These results are also generalized to graphene-based time-reversal invariant topological insulators.

5+4 pages, 4+3 figures, revised introduction and Fig. 4