Tensor Berry connections and their topological invariants

The Berry connection plays a central role in our description of the geometric phase and topological phenomena. In condensed matter, it describes the parallel transport of Bloch states and acts as an effective "electromagnetic" vector potential defined in momentum space. Inspired by developments in high-energy physics, where higher-form Kalb-Ramond gauge fields were introduced, I hereby explore the existence of "tensor Berry connections" in quantum matter. My approach consists in a general construction of effective gauge fields, which I ultimately relate to the components of Bloch states. I apply this formalism to various models of topological matter, and I investigate the topological invariants that result from generalized Berry connections. I introduce the 2D Zak phase of a tensor Berry connection, which I then relate to the more conventional first Chern number; I also reinterpret the winding number characterizing 3D topological insulators to a Dixmier-Douady invariant, which is associated with the curvature of a tensor connection. Besides, my approach identifies the Berry connection of tensor monopoles, which are found in 4D Weyl-type systems in ultracold atoms.