Lieb-Schultz-Mattis theorems for symmetry-protected topological phases

Abstract

The Lieb-Schultz-Mattis (LSM) theorem and its generalizations are a class of powerful no-go theorems that rule out any short-range-entangled (SRE) symmetric ground state irrespective of the specific Hamiltonian, based only on certain microscopic inputs, such as symmetries and particle filling numbers. In this work, we introduce and provide physical arguments for a new class of LSM-type theorems, where any symmetry-allowed SRE ground state must be a symmetry-protected topological (SPT) phase with robust gapless edge states, such as topological insulators and superconductors. The key ingredient is to replace the lattice translation symmetry in usual LSM theorems by the magnetic translation symmetry. These theorems provide new insights into realistic models and experimental realizations of SPT phases in interacting bosons and fermions.