Symmetry-enforced topological parity: revisiting 2 Z classifications beyond cellwise symmetry actions

arXiv:2609.37106 · cond-mat.mes-hall, math-ph, math.MP · Submitted 2026-09-29 · Read on arXiv

cond-mat.mes-hall, math-ph, math.MP

Submitted: 2026-09-29

Updated: 2026-09-29

Comments: 46 pages, 5 figures

License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The gist: Momentum-dependent symmetry actions can turn the even-integer constraint of a 2 Z classification of topological insulators and superconductors into an odd-integer constraint without changing the

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Abstract

Momentum-dependent symmetry actions can turn the even-integer constraint of a 2 Z classification of topological insulators and superconductors into an odd-integer constraint without changing the symmetry algebra. For internal and order-two crystalline symmetries in up to four spatial dimensions, we derive parity relations between the Chern or winding number of a gapped Hamiltonian and topological invariants of its momentum-dependent antiunitary symmetry matrices. Whenever the symmetry action enforces odd parity, any symmetry-preserving gapped phase must be topologically nontrivial. Using cellwise actions, which are represented by momentum-independent matrices in a fixed unit-cell basis, as a reference, we determine how locality constrains the realization of odd topological numbers. Explicit model constructions and no-go theorems distinguish three cases: odd values can be realized by finite-range symmetry actions, can be realized by exponentially decaying quasilocal actions but not by finite-range actions, or are impossible in finite-dimensional Bloch systems.

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