Fractality-Induced Topology

Fractal geometries, characterized by self-similar patterns and noninteger dimensions, provide an intriguing platform for exploring topological phases of matter. In this Letter, we introduce a theoretical framework that leverages isospectral reduction to effectively simplify complex fractal structures, revealing the presence of topologically protected boundary and corner states. Our approach demonstrates that fractals can support topological phases, even in the absence of traditional driving mechanisms such as magnetic fields or spin-orbit coupling. The isospectral reduction not only elucidates the underlying topological features but also makes this framework broadly applicable to a variety of fractal systems. Furthermore, our findings suggest that these topological phases may naturally occur in materials with fractal structures found in nature. This Letter opens new avenues for designing fractal-based topological materials, advancing both theoretical understanding and experimental exploration of topology in complex, self-similar geometries.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Physical Review Letters
Published
2025-05-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/jcrl-9dz6
Citations
7
Primary Topic
Topological Materials and Phenomena
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
8.73

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Fractality-Induced Topology

C. Morais Smith, Z. F. Osseweijer, Karl J. Friston
7 citations
Physical Review Letters
Topological Materials and Phenomena
8.73
article

Fractality-Induced Topology

C. Morais Smith, Z. F. Osseweijer, Karl J. Friston
article en
7 citations

Abstract

Fractal geometries, characterized by self-similar patterns and noninteger dimensions, provide an intriguing platform for exploring topological phases of matter. In this Letter, we introduce a theoretical framework that leverages isospectral reduction to effectively simplify complex fractal structures, revealing the presence of topologically protected boundary and corner states. Our approach demonstrates that fractals can support topological phases, even in the absence of traditional driving mechanisms such as magnetic fields or spin-orbit coupling. The isospectral reduction not only elucidates the underlying topological features but also makes this framework broadly applicable to a variety of fractal systems. Furthermore, our findings suggest that these topological phases may naturally occur in materials with fractal structures found in nature. This Letter opens new avenues for designing fractal-based topological materials, advancing both theoretical understanding and experimental exploration of topology in complex, self-similar geometries.

Physical Review LettersVol. 134(24)
Utrecht University (NL)
Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Topological Materials and Phenomena
8.73
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.