Introduction to Topological Materials

This course runs during Michaelmas term as part of the MPhil in Scientific Computing. Cambridge students outside this MPhil are also welcome (email me for details). This page contains background quantum mechanics topics for the course, and a summary of the content covered during the lectures.

Background: quantum mechanics of identical particles

The properties of matter (from atoms to materials) are driven by the behaviour of a large number of identical electrons. Identical particles in quantum mechanics behave in strange and interesting ways, and this series of videos covers the background quantum mechanics of identical particles. Total length: 6 videos, 1h 21min.

Background: second quantisation

Second quantisation refers to a formulation of quantum mechanics that provides a compact and powerful description of systems of identical particles. The course approaches the study of topological materials using tight binding theory in the second quantisation language, and this series of videos introduces the key ideas behind second quantisation. Total length: 7 videos, 1h 47min.


Course outline

Tight binding theory. An introduction to general tight binding theory using both first and second quantisation.

Berry phase. An introduction to the Berry phase and related quantities.

SSH model. The 1-dimensional Su-Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model with a focus on its topological properties.

Graphene model. The 2-dimensional tight binding graphene model, used as the starting point of many models of topological materials.

Haldane model. The 2-dimensional Haldane model of a Chern insulator exhibiting the quantum anomalous Hall effect.