Topological phases of generalized Su-Schrieffer-Heeger models

Abstract

We study the extended Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model with both the nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor hopping strengths being cyclically modulated and find the family of the model system exhibiting topologically nontrivial phases, which can be characterized by a nonzero Chern number defined in a two-dimensional space spanned by the momentum and modulation parameter. It is interesting that the model has a similar phase diagram as the well-known Haldane's model. We propose to use photonic crystal systems as the idea systems to fabricate our model systems and probe their topological properties. Some other models with modulated on-site potentials are also found to exhibit similar phase diagrams and their connection to the Haldane's model is revealed.

6 pages, 5 figures