Time Reflection-Refraction Crossover at Topological Kramers Edge States

Abstract

Time-reversal symmetry protects helical edge states against static nonmagnetic backscattering. We show that spatially uniform temporal modulation produces a time reflection-refraction crossover within the same quantum spin Hall phase while preserving time-reversal symmetry of the instantaneous Hamiltonian. A finite gap to the bulk and an edge splitting that vanishes at the Kramers crossing allow the modulation to suppress bulk excitation while remaining nonadiabatic between the edge channels. Virtual transitions through bulk states enable coherent conversion between counter-propagating edge channels at fixed crystal momentum. Near the crossing, $qT$ governs the leading crossover dynamics for a fixed ramp shape, where $q$ is the momentum offset and $T$ the ramp duration. Coherent interference can suppress and restore reflection as the ramp slows. In the adiabatic limit, two initially time-reversed wave packets follow their respective propagation branches and acquire equal geometric displacements. Their group-velocity contributions cancel, isolating the contribution from the Berry curvature to be directly observable. Temporal modulation thus controls protected states and quantum geometry along a topological edge.