An effective continuum theory is constructed for the topological phase transition of excitons in quasi-two-dimensional systems. These topological excitons crucially determine the optoelectronic properties because of their larger binding energies in two dimensions, as well as their topologically enhanced exciton transport. The core idea of this paper is that the essential physics determining the topological invariants across the phase transition is localized near $N$-fold band-crossing points (BCPs) in the interaction-induced exciton band structure. The construction of the continuum theory around these BCPs needs only the information of exciton states that build up these BCPs at both $\mathbf{Q}=0$ and finite-$\mathbf{Q}$ points, and not the numerically challenging solution of the Bethe-Salpeter equation over the full exciton Brillouin zone. This theory applies to systems with and without spin conservation. Our theory is illustrated in two specific examples: the transition-metal dichalcogenide twisted bilayer systems and the Bernevig-Hughes-Zhang model. These results offer a promising route toward studying complex systems, such as the room-temperature quantum spin Hall system bismuthene (Bi/SiC) and other twisted bilayer systems.

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• Excitons
• Topological phase transition
• 2-dimensional systems
• Band structure methods
• Bethe-Salpeter equation
• Discrete symmetries in condensed matter
• First-principles calculations