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Topological characterization of delocalization in a spin-orbit coupling system
Phys. Rev. B 54, R11070(R) – Published 15 October, 1996
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.54.R11070
Abstract
We show that wave functions in a two-dimensional (2D) electron system with spin-orbit coupling can be characterized by a topological quantity—the Chern integer due to the existence of the intrinsic Kramers degeneracy. The localization-delocalization transition in such a system is studied in terms of such a Chern number description, which reproduces the known metal-insulator transition point. The present work suggests a unified picture for various known 2D delocalization phenomena based on the same topological characterization.