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Dynamical Majorana edge modes in a broad class of topological mechanical systems
- Source :
- Nature Communications, Vol 8, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2017), Nature Communications
- Publication Year :
- 2017
- Publisher :
- Nature Portfolio, 2017.
-
Abstract
- Mechanical systems can display topological characteristics similar to that of topological insulators. Here we report a large class of topological mechanical systems related to the BDI symmetry class. These are self-assembled chains of rigid bodies with an inversion centre and no reflection planes. The particle-hole symmetry characteristic to the BDI symmetry class stems from the distinct behaviour of the translational and rotational degrees of freedom under inversion. This and other generic properties led us to the remarkable conclusion that, by adjusting the gyration radius of the bodies, one can always simultaneously open a gap in the phonon spectrum, lock-in all the characteristic symmetries and generate a non-trivial topological invariant. The particle-hole symmetry occurs around a finite frequency, and hence we can witness a dynamical topological Majorana edge mode. Contrasting a floppy mode occurring at zero frequency, a dynamical edge mode can absorb and store mechanical energy, potentially opening new applications of topological mechanics.<br />Properties of topological insulators can be realized in mechanical systems, opening potential applications of topological mechanics. Here, Prodan et al. report a dynamical topological Majorana edge mode in self-assembled chains of rigid bodies with particle-hole symmetry.
- Subjects :
- Topological degeneracy
Science
FOS: Physical sciences
General Physics and Astronomy
02 engineering and technology
Condensed Matter - Soft Condensed Matter
Topology
01 natural sciences
Gyration
Topological entropy in physics
Symmetry protected topological order
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Article
0103 physical sciences
Topological order
010306 general physics
Topological quantum number
Physics
Multidisciplinary
General Chemistry
021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology
Symmetry (physics)
Classical mechanics
Topological insulator
Soft Condensed Matter (cond-mat.soft)
0210 nano-technology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 20411723
- Volume :
- 8
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Nature Communications
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....e082dce332a33a920d0a7c12690e2b39