Unified Theory of PT and CP Invariant Topological Metals and Nodal Superconductors

Abstract

© 2016 American Physical Society.As PT and CP symmetries are fundamental in physics, we establish a unified topological theory of PT and CP invariant metals and nodal superconductors, based on the mathematically rigorous KO theory. Representative models are constructed for all nontrivial topological cases in dimensions d=1, 2, and 3, with their exotic physical meanings being elucidated in detail. Intriguingly, it is found that the topological charges of Fermi surfaces in the bulk determine an exotic direction-dependent distribution of topological subgap modes on the boundaries. Furthermore, by constructing an exact bulk-boundary correspondence, we show that the topological Fermi points of the PT and CP invariant classes can appear as gapless modes on the boundary of topological insulators with a certain type of anisotropic crystalline symmetry.