Interaction-driven spin-orbit effects and Chern insulating phases in corundum-based $4d$ and $5d$ oxide honeycomb lattices

Abstract: Using density functional theory calculations with a Hubbard $U$, we explore topologically nontrivial phases in $X_2$O$3$ honeycomb layers with $X=$ $4d$ and $5d$ cation inserted in the band insulator $\alpha$-Al$_2$O$_3$ along the [0001]-direction. Several promising candidates for quantum anomalous Hall insulators (QAHI) are identified. In particular, for $X$=Tc and Pt spin-orbit coupling (SOC) opens a gap of 54 and 59 meV, respectively, leading to Chern insulators (CI) with $C$=--2 and --1. The nature of different Chern numbers is related to the corresponding spin textures. The Chern insulating phase is sensitive to the Coulomb repulsion strength: $X$=Tc undergoes a transition from a CI to a trivial metallic state beyond a critical strength of $U_c$ =2.5 eV. A comparison between the isoelectronic metastable FM phases of $X$=Pd and Pt emphasizes the intricate balance between electronic correlations and SOC: while the former is a trivial insulator, the latter is a Chern insulator. In addition, $X$=Os turns out to be a FM Mott insulator with an unpaired electron in the $t{2g}$ manifold where SOC induces an unusually high orbital moment of 0.34 $\mu_{\rm B}$ along the $z$-axis. Parallels to the $3d$ honeycomb corundum cases are discussed.