Topological phases in layered pyrochlore oxide thin films along the [111] direction

We theoretically study a multiband Hubbard model of pyrochlore oxides of the form A(2)B(2)O(7), where B is a heavy transition metal ion with strong spin-orbit coupling, in a thin-film geometry orientated along the [111] direction. Along this direction, the pyrochlore lattice consists of alternating kagome and triangular lattice planes of B ions. We consider a single kagome layer, a bilayer, and the two different trilayers. As a function of the strength of the spin-orbit coupling, the direct and indirect d-orbital hopping, and the band filling, we identify a number of scenarios where a noninteracting time-reversal-invariant Z(2) topological phase is expected and we suggest some candidate materials. We study the interactions in the half-filled d shell within Hartree-Fock theory and identify parameter regimes where a zero magnetic field Chern insulator with Chern number +/- 1 can be found. The most promising geometries for topological phases appear to be the bilayer which supports both a Z(2) topological insulator and a Chern insulator, and the triangular-kagome-triangular trilayer which supports a relatively robust Chern insulator phase. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.86.235141