Switching Spinless and Spinful Topological Phases with Projective PT Symmetry

A fundamental dichotomous classification for all physical systems is according to whether they are spinless or spinful. This is especially crucial for the study of symmetry-protected topological phases, as the two classes have distinct symmetry algebra. As a prominent example, the spacetime inversion symmetry PT satisfies (PT)(2) = +/- 1 for spinless/spinful systems, and each class features unique topological phases. Here, we reveal a possibility to switch the two fundamental classes via Z(2) projective representations. For PT symmetry, this occurs when P inverses the gauge transformation needed to recover the original Z(2) gauge connections under P. As a result, we can achieve topological phases originally unique for spinful systems in a spinless system, and vice versa. We explicitly demonstrate the claimed mechanism with several concrete models, such as Kramers degenerate bands and Kramers Majorana boundary modes in spinless systems, and real topological phases in spinful systems. Possible experimental realization of these models is discussed. Our work breaks a fundamental limitation on topological phases and opens an unprecedented possibility to realize intriguing topological phases in previously impossible systems.

Automated summary

The study reveals the possibility of switching the two fundamental classes via Z(2) projective representations, allowing for unique topological phases to be achieved in different classes. For PT symmetry, the occurrence of this switching mechanism is demonstrated when P inverses the gauge transformation required to recover the original Z(2) gauge connections under P.