Topological phases in the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model

We address the conditions required for a $mathbb{Z}$ topological classification in the most general form of the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. Any chirally symmetric SSH model will possess a “conjugated-pseudo-Hermiticity” which we show is responsible for a quantized “complex” Berry phase. Consequently, we provide an example where the complex Berry phase of a band is used as a quantized invariant to predict the existence of gapless edge modes in a non-Hermitian model. The chirally broken, $PT$-symmetric model is studied; we suggest an explanation for why the topological invariant is a global property of the Hamiltonian. A geometrical picture is provided by examining eigenvector evolution on the Bloch sphere. We justify our analysis numerically and discuss relevant applications.