Failure of Nielsen-Ninomiya theorem and fragile topology in two-dimensional systems with space-time inversion symmetry: application to twisted bilayer graphene at magic angle

We show that the Wannier obstruction and the fragile topology of the nearly flat bands in twisted bilayer graphene at magic angle are manifestations of the nontrivial topology of two-dimensional real wave functions characterized by the Euler class. To prove this, we examine the generic band topology of two dimensional real fermions in systems with space-time inversion $I_{ST}$ symmetry. The Euler class is an integer topological invariant classifying real two band systems. We show that a two-band system with a nonzero Euler class cannot have an $I_{ST}$-symmetric Wannier representation. Moreover, a two-band system with the Euler class $e_{2}$ has band crossing points whose total winding number is equal to $-2e_2$. Thus the conventional Nielsen-Ninomiya theorem fails in systems with a nonzero Euler class. We propose that the topological phase transition between two insulators carrying distinct Euler classes can be described in terms of the pair creation and annihilation of vortices accompanied by winding number changes across Dirac strings. When the number of bands is bigger than two, there is a $Z_{2}$ topological invariant classifying the band topology, that is, the second Stiefel Whitney class ($w_2$). Two bands with an even (odd) Euler class turn into a system with $w_2=0$ ($w_2=1$) when additional trivial bands are added. Although the nontrivial second Stiefel-Whitney class remains robust against adding trivial bands, it does not impose a Wannier obstruction when the number of bands is bigger than two. However, when the resulting multi-band system with the nontrivial second Stiefel-Whitney class is supplemented by additional chiral symmetry, a nontrivial second-order topology and the associated corner charges are guaranteed.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figure

Band Topology and Linking Structure of Nodal Line Semimetals with Z2 Monopole Charges

We study the band topology and the associated linking structure of topological semimetals with nodal lines carrying $Z_{2}$ monopole charges, which can be realized in three-dimensional systems invariant under the combination of inversion $P$ and time reversal $T$ when spin-orbit coupling is negligible. In contrast to the well-known $PT$-symmetric nodal lines protected only by $\pi$ Berry phase in which a single nodal line can exist, the nodal lines with $Z_{2}$ monopole charges should always exist in pairs. We show that a pair of nodal lines with $Z_{2}$ monopole charges is created by a {\it double band inversion} (DBI) process, and that the resulting nodal lines are always {\it linked by another nodal line} formed between the two topmost occupied bands. It is shown that both the linking structure and the $Z_{2}$ monopole charge are the manifestation of the nontrivial band topology characterized by the {\it second Stiefel-Whitney class}, which can be read off from the Wilson loop spectrum. We show that the second Stiefel-Whitney class can serve as a well-defined topological invariant of a $PT$-invariant two-dimensional (2D) insulator in the absence of Berry phase. Based on this, we propose that pair creation and annihilation of nodal lines with $Z_{2}$ monopole charges can mediate a topological phase transition between a normal insulator and a three-dimensional weak Stiefel-Whitney insulator (3D weak SWI). Moreover, using first-principles calculations, we predict ABC-stacked graphdiyne as a nodal line semimetal (NLSM) with $Z_{2}$ monopole charges having the linking structure. Finally, we develop a formula for computing the second Stiefel-Whitney class based on parity eigenvalues at inversion invariant momenta, which is used to prove the quantized bulk magnetoelectric response of NLSMs with $Z_2$ monopole charges under a $T$-breaking perturbation.Comment: 4+28 pages, 3+17 figure

Two-dimensional higher-order topology in monolayer graphdiyne

Based on first-principles calculations and tight-binding model analysis, we propose monolayer graphdiyne as a candidate material for a two-dimensional higher-order topological insulator protected by inversion symmetry. Despite the absence of chiral symmetry, the higher-order topology of monolayer graphdiyne is manifested in the filling anomaly and charge accumulation at two corners. Although its low energy band structure can be properly described by the tight-binding Hamiltonian constructed by using only the $p_z$ orbital of each atom, the corresponding bulk band topology is trivial. The nontrivial bulk topology can be correctly captured only when the contribution from the core levels derived from $p_{x,y}$ and $s$ orbitals are included, which is further confirmed by the Wilson loop calculations. We also show that the higher-order band topology of a monolayer graphdyine gives rise to the nontrivial band topology of the corresponding three-dimensional material, ABC-stacked graphdiyne, which hosts monopole nodal lines and hinge states.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures, new titl

Do Japanese CEOs Matter?

In a country where individualism is not valued, we ask whether the CEO (shacho) of a Japanese corporation affects corporate behavior. To answer this question, we construct a shacho-firm matched panel data set in the period 1990 through 2002 of all listed 1,419 Japanese manufacturing firms and their 3,520 shachos. We utilize three distinct empirical methodologies to detect a shacho effect. First, we attempt to separate a firm-fixed effect from a shacho-fixed effect. We are unable to disentangle a shacho-fixed effect. Second, we examine whether the year of or the year after a shacho change was a turning point in the firm's 1990 to 2002 history of performance and policies. Our answer is generally no, even when the shacho change is non-routine. Third, we employ a classic event study to check whether the market thinks a shacho change is value-relevant. We do find a significant positive price response on the day a shacho change is announced, especially when the shacho change is non-routine. We are thus left to conclude that shachos do not matter in the Japanese corporation in this decade of a stagnant economy, though the market remains optimistic.