DOE OSTI · 3520187
Edge Reconstruction in a Quantum Spin Hall Insulator
Abstract
We study interaction-driven edge reconstruction in a quantum spin Hall insulator described by the Bernevig-Hughes-Zhang model with Kanamori-Hubbard interactions using the real-space density matrix renormalization group method in both the grand-canonical and canonical ensembles. For a two-dimensional cylinder with a smooth edge, we identify discrete particle-number transitions that lead to a spin-polarized edge state stabilized by an emergent ferromagnetic exchange interaction. The reconstruction is orbital-selective, occurring predominantly in the 𝑠-orbital channel. Our results reveal a microscopic mechanism for emergent fluctuating moments at the edge that could compromise the topological protection of helical edge states by time-reversal symmetry.
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Soni, Rahul [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000317714299), Thamm, Matthias [University of Leipzig, Germany] (ORCID:0000000272593461), Alvarez, Gonzalo [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000214968261), Rosenow, Bernd [University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)], Del-Maestro, Adrian [University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)] (ORCID:0000000194838258). 2026-06-01. Edge Reconstruction in a Quantum Spin Hall Insulator. https://doi.org/10.1103/98j3-424f
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