Exciton topology and condensation in a model quantum spin Hall insulator

Abstract: We study by a consistent mean-field scheme the role on the single- and two-particle properties of a local electron-electron repulsion in the Bernevig, Hughes and Zhang model of a quantum spin Hall insulator. We find that the interaction fosters the intrusion between the topological and non-topological insulators of a new insulating and magnetoelectric phase that breaks spontaneously inversion and time reversal symmetries, but not their product. The approach to this phase from both topological and non-topological sides is signalled by the softening of two exciton branches, i.e., whose binding energy reaches the gap value, that possess, in most cases, finite and opposite Chern numbers, thus allowing this phase being regarded as a condensate of topological excitons. We also discuss how those excitons, and especially their surface counterparts, may influence the physical observables.