Topological end states in a one-dimensional spatially modulated interaction spinless fermion model

Abstract: The effect of spatially modulated interaction on quantum phase transition in one-dimensional interacting spinless fermion system is theoretically investigated by exact diagonalization and density matrix renormalization group method. Our calculations show that the periodically modulated interaction can drive the spinless fermion system into topological charge density wave state. The topological state is encoded by quasiparticle end states and the fractional quantized $e/2$ end charges, and characterized by Berry phase and Chern number. The quasiparticle energy spectra as a function of modulated interaction period appears a stunning fractal-like structure. For the quasi-periodic case, the topological phase transition can also occur. In a word, the spatially modulated interaction can be a new simple and elegant avenue towards realizing to interacting topological phases.