Magnetically tuned topological phase in graphene nanoribbon heterojunctions

The interplay between topology and magnetism often triggers the exotic quantum phases. Here, we report an accessible scheme to engineer the robust Z₂ topology by intrinsic magnetism, originating from the zigzag segment connecting two armchair segments with different width, in one-dimensional graphene nanoribbon heterojunctions. Our first-principle and model simulations reveal that the emergent spin polarization substantially modifies the dimerization between junction states, forming the special SSH mechanism depending on the magnetic configurations. Interestingly, the topological phase in magnetic state is only determined by the width of the narrow armchair segment, in sharp contrast with that in the normal state. In addition, the emergent magnetism increases the bulk energy band gap by an order of magnitude than that in the nonmagnetic state. We also discuss the Z topology of the junction states and the termination-dependent topological end states. Our results bring alternative way to tune the topology in graphene nanoribbon heterostructure, providing a alternative platform for future one-dimensional topological devices and molecular-scale spintronics.