Bosonic edge states in gapped honeycomb lattices

Abstract: By quantum Monte Carlo simulations of bosons in gapped honeycomb lattices, we show the existence of bosonic edge states. For single layer honeycomb lattice, bosonic edge states can be controlled to appear, cross the gap and merge into bulk states by an on-site potential applied on the outmost sites of the boundary. On bilayer honeycomb lattice, bosonic edge state traversing the gap at half filling is demonstrated. The topological origin of the bosonic edge states is discussed with pseudo Berry curvature. The results will simulate experimental studies of these exotic bosonic edge states with ultracold bosons trapped in honeycomb optical lattices.