Vacancy-induced localized modes and impurity band formation in the Haldane model: A quantum dot analogy

Abstract

In this study, the Haldane model's edge states are utilized to illustrate that a zero-energy localized state forms around a single vacancy in the model. In order to complete this task, the conventional unit cell associated to the Haldane hexagonal structure is transferred onto a two-leg ladder in momentum space, effectively forming an extended Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) lattice through a one-dimensional Fourier transform. Through the application of a suitable unitary transformation, the two-leg SSH ladder in momentum space is converted into an equivalent lattice with two distinct on-site states with different momentum that are suitable for the calculations. Ultimately, the desired zero-energy localized mode formed around the vacant-site is represented by a combination of the armchair edge states. Furthermore, the scenario involving two vacant sites is investigated and it is revealed that an effective hopping interaction exists between the localized states formed around the on-site vacancies created along a zigzag chain in the lattice. This structure can be likened to the structure of a quantum dot with two none-degenerate energy levels. Such a hopping interaction is absent for the same vacancies created on the armchair chains. Finally, it is shown that introducing vacancies periodically on the sites of a zigzag row along a finite-width ribbon with the Haldane structure leads to the emergence of an impurity band within the energy gap. © 2025