Unusual thermodynamic signature of topological quantum criticality in two coupled Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains

Symmetry breaking and topological quantum phase transitions (QPTs) are usually accompanied by a gap opening or closing. For the continuous QPT, it is marked by a quantum critical point. Herein, we study the topological feature of quantum phase boundary-quantum criticality of two coupled Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains. Two topological nontrivial insulating phases and a trivial one are recapped with two different topological phase boundaries, which are termed as Dirac semimetals (DSMs) with one or two Dirac nodal points within considering spin degeneracy. Specially, a tricritical point holds the character of quadratic contact point semimetal (QCPSM) that is regarded as a parent phase of DSMs. Meanwhile, the QCPSM and DSMs are featured by the quantum critical scaling of thermal Drude weight and specific heat. Furthermore, the Gruneisen ratio serves as a superb tool for the diagnosis of topological semimetals, which is demonstrated with or without self-duality of quantum criticality explicitly.

Automated summary

Studied the quantum criticality and topological features of two coupled Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains, revealing the presence of Dirac semimetals and quadratic contact point semimetals, and proposed the use of Gruneisen ratio as a diagnostic tool for topological semimetals.