Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Kitaev model”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11

Hydrostatic pressure effect on the Co-based honeycomb magnet BaCo 2 (AsO 4 ) 2

Here the honeycomb antiferromagnet BaCo 2 (AsO 4 ) 2 , in which small in-plane magnetic fields (H1 ≈ 0.26T and H2 ≈ 0.52T at T = 1.8 K < T N ≈ 5.4K) induce two magnetic phase transitions, has attracted attention as a possible candidate material for the realization of Kitaev physics based on the 3d element Co 2+ . Here, we report on the change in the transition temperature T N and the critical fields H1 and H2 of BaCo 2 (AsO 4 ) 2 with hydrostatic pressure up to ~20 kbar, as determined from magnetization and specific heat measurements. Within this pressure range, a marginal increase in the magnetic ordering temperature is observed. At the same time, the critical fields are changed significantly (up to ~25 –35%). Specifically, we find that H1 is increased with hydrostatic pressure, i.e., the antiferromagnetic state is stabilized, whereas H2, which was previously associated with a transition into a proposed Kitaev spin-liquid state, decreases with increasing pressure. We discuss to what extent these results are compatible with suggested models with sizable third-nearest-neighbor exchange. Overall, the results put constraints on the magnetic models that are used to describe the low-temperature magnetic properties of BaCo 2 (AsO 4 ) 2 .

2-dimensional systems↗

Driven Majorana modes: A route to synthetic $p_x +ip_y$ superconductivity

We propose a protocol to realize synthetic $p_x +ip_y$ superconductors in one-dimensional topological systems that host Majorana fermions. By periodically driving a localized Majorana mode across the system, our protocol realizes a topological pumping of Majorana fermions, analogous to the adiabatic Thouless pumping of electrical charges. Importantly, similar to the realization of a Chern insulator through Thouless pumping, we show that pumping of Majorana zero modes could lead to a $p_x +ip_y$ superconductor in the two dimensions of space and synthetic time. The Floquet theory is employed to map the driven one-dimensional system to a two-dimensional synthetic system by considering frequency as a new dimension. We demonstrate such Floquet $p_x +ip_y$ superconductors using the Kitaev $p$-wave superconductor chain, a prototypical 1D topological system, as well as its more realistic realization in the 1D Kondo lattice model as examples. We further show the appearance of Majorana $π$ mode at the Floquet zone boundary in an intermediate drive frequency region. Our work suggests a driven magnetic spiral coupled to a superconductor as a promising platform for the realization of novel topological superconductors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Measurement-based quantum simulation of Abelian lattice gauge theories

Numerical simulation of lattice gauge theories is an indispensable tool in high energy physics, and their quantum simulation is expected to become a major application of quantum computers in the future. In this work, for an Abelian lattice gauge theory in d d spacetime dimensions, we define an entangled resource state (generalized cluster state) that reflects the spacetime structure of the gauge theory. We show that sequential single-qubit measurements with the bases adapted according to the former measurement outcomes induce a deterministic Hamiltonian quantum simulation of the gauge theory on the boundary. Our construction includes the (2+1) ( 2 + 1 ) -dimensional Abelian lattice gauge theory simulated on three-dimensional cluster state as an example, and generalizes to the simulation of Wegner’s lattice models M_{(d,n)} M ( d , n ) that involve higher-form Abelian gauge fields. We demonstrate that the generalized cluster state has a symmetry-protected topological order with respect to generalized global symmetries that are related to the symmetries of the simulated gauge theories on the boundary.Our procedure can be generalized to the simulation of Kitaev’s Majorana chain on a fermionic resource state. We also study the imaginary-time quantum simulation with two-qubit measurements and post-selections, and a classical-quantum correspondence, where the statistical partition function of the model M_{(d,n)} M ( d , n ) is written as the overlap between the product of two-qubit measurement bases and the wave function of the generalized cluster state.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Chiral topologically ordered insulating phases in arrays of interacting integer quantum Hall islands

Here, we study networks of Coulomb-blockaded integer quantum Hall islands with even fillings ν = 2 k ( k being an integer), including cases with 2 k layers each of ν = 1 fillings. Allowing only spin-current interactions between the islands (i.e., without any charge transfer), we obtain solvable models leading to a rich set of insulating S U ( 2 ) k topologically ordered phases. The case with k = 1 is dual to the Kalmeyer-Laughlin phase, k = 2 to Kitaev's chiral spin liquid and the Moore-Read state, and k = 3 contains a Fibonacci anyon that may be utilized for universal topological quantum computation. Additionally, we show how the S U ( 2 ) k topological phases may be obtained also in an array of islands with ν = 2 k integer quantum Hall states and critical spin chains in a checkerboard pattern. The array and checkerboard constructions gap out the charge mode and additional “flavor” modes by virtue of their geometry. Furthermore, we find that a fine tuning of the system parameter is not needed in the checkerboard configuration and the ν = 2 case. We also discuss their bulk excitations, and show that their thermal Hall conductance is universal, reflecting the central charge c = 3 k / ( k + 2 ) of the chiral edge modes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Supercurrent-induced topological phase transitions

We show that finite current in superconductors can induce topological phase transitions, as a result of the deformation of the quasiparticle spectrum by a finite center-of-mass (COM) momentum of the Cooper pairs. To show the wide applicability of this mechanism, we examine the topological properties of three prototypical systems: the Kitaev chain, s-wave superconductors, and d-wave superconductors. Here we introduce a finite COM momentum as an external field corresponding to the supercurrent and show that all the models exhibit current-induced topological phase transitions. We also discuss the possibility of observing the phase transitions in experiments and the relation to the other finite COM momentum pairing states.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Passive Environment-Assisted Quantum Communication with GKP States

Bosonic pure-loss channel, which represents the process of photons decaying into a vacuum environment, has zero quantum capacity when the channel’s transmissivity is less than 50%. Modeled as a beam splitter interaction between the system and its environment, the performance of bosonic pure-loss channel can be enhanced by controlling the environment state. We show that by choosing the ideal Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) states for the system and its environment, perfect transmission of quantum information through a beam splitter is achievable at arbitrarily low transmissivities. Our explicit constructions allow for experimental demonstration of the improved performance of a quantum channel through passive environment assistance, which is potentially useful for quantum transduction where the environment state can be naturally controlled. In practice, it is crucial to consider finite-energy constraints, and high-fidelity quantum communication through a beam splitter remains achievable with GKP states at the few-photon level.

Wang, Zhaoyou [Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States↗

Evidence for field induced quantum spin liquid behavior in a spin-1/2 honeycomb magnet

One of the most important issues in modern condensed matter physics is the realization of fractionalized excitations, such as the Majorana excitations in the Kitaev quantum spin liquid. To this aim, the 3d-based Kitaev material Na 2 Co 2 TeO 6 is a promising candidate whose magnetic phase diagram of B // a* contains a field-induced intermediate magnetically disordered phase within 7.5 T < |B| < 10 T. The experimental observations, including the restoration of the crystalline point group symmetry in the angle-dependent torque and the coexisting magnon excitations and spinon-continuum in the inelastic neutron scattering spectrum, provide strong evidence that this disordered phase is a field induced quantum spin liquid with partially polarized spins. Our variational Monte Carlo simulation with the effective K-J 1 -Γ-Γ'-J 3 model reproduces the experimental data and further supports this conclusion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Celestial Quantum Error Correction. Part II. From qudits to celestial CFT

A holographic CFT description of asymptotically flat spacetimes inherits vacuum degeneracies and IR divergences from its gravitational dual. We devise a Quantum Error Correcting (QEC) framework to encode both effects as correctable fluctuations on the CFT dual. The framework is physically motivated by embedding a chain of qudits in the so-called Klein spacetime and then taking a continuum 𝑁 → ∞ limit. At finite 𝑁 the qudit chain 1) enjoys a discrete version of celestial symmetries and 2) supports a Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) code. The limit results in hard states with quantized BMS hair in the celestial torus forming the logical subspace, robust under errors induced by soft radiation. Technically, the construction leverages the recently studied 𝑤 1+∞ hierarchy of soft currents and its realization from a sigma model in twistor space.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Magnetic states of graphene proximitized Kitaev materials

Single-layer α-ruthenium trichloride (α–RuCl 3 ) has been proposed as a potential quantum spin liquid. Graphene/RuCl 3 heterobilayers have been extensively studied with a focus on the large interlayer electron transfer that dopes both materials. Here we examine the interplay between the competing magnetic state of RuCl 3 layer and graphene electronic properties. We perform self-consistent Hartree-Fock calculations on a Hubbard-Kanamori model of the 4d 5 t 2g electrons of α–RuCl 3 and confirm that out-of-plane ferromagnetic and zigzag antiferromagnetic states are energetically competitive. We show that the influence of hybridization between graphene and RuCl 3 bands is strongly sensitive to the magnetic configuration of RuCl 3 and the relative orientations of the two layers. We argue that strong hybridization leads to graphene magnetoresistance and that it may tilt the balance between closely competing magnetic states. Furthermore, Our analysis can be applied to any van der Waals heterobilayer system with weak interlayer hybridization and allows for arbitrary lattice constant mismatch and relative orientation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Universal signatures of Dirac fermions in entanglement and charge fluctuations

We study the entanglement entropy (EE) and charge fluctuations in models where the low-energy physics is governed by massless Dirac fermions. We focus on the response to flux insertion which, for the EE, is widely assumed to be universal, i.e., independent of the microscopic details. We provide an analytical derivation of the EE and charge fluctuations for the seminal example of graphene, using the dimensional reduction of its tight-binding model to the one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. Our asymptotic expression for the EE matches the conformal field theory prediction. We show that the charge variance has the same asymptotic behavior, up to a constant prefactor. To check the validity of universality arguments, we numerically consider several models, with different geometries and numbers of Dirac cones, and either for strictly two-dimensional models or for a gapless surface mode of three-dimensional topological insulators. We also show that the flux response does not depend on the entangling surface geometry as long as it encloses the flux. Finally we consider the universal corner contributions to the EE. We show that in the presence of corners, the Kitaev-Preskill subtraction scheme provides nonuniversal, geometry-dependent results.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Electronic and magnetic properties of the RuX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) family: two siblings—and a cousin?

Abstract Motivated by reports of metallic behavior in the recently synthesized RuI 3 , in contrast to the Mott-insulating nature of the actively discussed α -RuCl 3 , as well as RuBr 3 , we present a detailed comparative analysis of the electronic and magnetic properties of this family of trihalides. Using a combination of first-principles calculations and effective-model considerations, we conclude that RuI 3 , similarly to the other two members, is most probably on the verge of a Mott insulator, but with much smaller magnetic moments and strong magnetic frustration. We predict the ideal pristine crystal of RuI 3 to have a nearly vanishing conventional nearest-neighbor Heisenberg interaction and to be a quantum spin liquid candidate of a possibly different kind than the Kitaev spin liquid. In order to understand the apparent contradiction to the reported resistivity ρ , we analyze the experimental evidence for all three compounds and propose a scenario for the observed metallicity in existing samples of RuI 3 . Furthermore, for the Mott insulator RuBr 3, we obtain a magnetic Hamiltonian of a similar form to that in the much-discussed α -RuCl 3 and show that this Hamiltonian is in agreement with experimental evidence in RuBr 3 .

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Single-ion properties of the transverse-field Ising model material CoNb 2 O 6

We report CoNb 2 O 6 is one of the few materials that is known to approximate the one-dimensional transverse-field Ising model (1D-TFIM) near its quantum critical point. It has been inferred that Co 2+ acts as a pseudospin 1/2 with anisotropic exchange interactions that are largely Ising-like, enabling the realization of the TFIM. However, the behavior of CoNb 2 O 6 is known to diverge from the ideal TFIM under transverse magnetic fields that are far from the quantum critical point, requiring the consideration of additional anisotropic, bond-dependent (Kitaev-like) terms in the microscopic pseudospin-1/2 Hamiltonian. These terms are expected to be controlled in part by single-ion physics, namely the wave function for the pseudospin-1/2 angular momentum doublet. Here, we present the results of both inelastic neutron scattering measurements and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy on CoNb 2 O 6 , which elucidate the single-ion physics of Co 2+ in CoNb 2 O 6 for the first time. We find that the system is well-described by an intermediate spin-orbit coupled Hamiltonian, and the ground state is a well-isolated Kramers doublet with an anisotropic g tensor. We provide the approximate wave functions for this doublet, which we expect will be useful in theoretical investigations of the anisotropic exchange interactions.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Diagonal entropy and topological phase transitions in extended Kitaev chains

We investigate the diagonal entropy for ground states of the extended Kitaev chains with extensive pairing and hopping terms. The systems contain rich topological phases equivalently represented by topological invariant winding numbers and Majorana zero modes. Both the finite size scaling law and block scaling law of the diagonal entropy are studied, which indicates that the diagonal entropy demonstrates volume effect. The parameter of volume term is regarded as the diagonal entropy density, which can identify the critical points of symmetry-protected topological phase transitions efficiently in the studied models, even for those with higher winding numbers. The formulation of block scaling law and the capability of diagonal entropy density in detecting topological phase transitions are independent of the chosen bases. In order to manifest the advantage of diagonal entropy, we also calculate the global entanglement, which cannot show clear signatures of the topological phase transitions. This work provides a new quantum-informatic approach to characterize the feature of the topologically ordered states and may motivate a deep understanding of the quantum coherence and diagonal entropy in various condensed matter systems.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Electron correlation effects on exchange interactions and spin excitations in 2D van der Waals materials

Despite serious effort, the nature of the magnetic interactions and the role of electron-correlation effects in magnetic two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals materials remains elusive. Using CrI 3 as a model system, we show that the calculated electronic structure including nonlocal electron correlations yields spin excitations consistent with inelastic neutron-scattering measurements. Remarkably, this approach identifies an unreported correlation-enhanced interlayer super-superexchange, which rotates the magnon Dirac lines off, and introduces a gap along the high-symmetry Γ-K-M path. This discovery provides a different perspective on the gap-opening mechanism observed in CrI 3 , which was previously associated with spin–orbit coupling through the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction or Kitaev interaction. Our observation elucidates the critical role of electron correlations on the spin ordering and spin dynamics in magnetic van der Waals materials and demonstrates the necessity of explicit treatment of electron correlations in the broad family of 2D magnetic materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Planar thermal Hall effect of topological bosons in the Kitaev magnet α-RuCl 3

The honeycomb magnet α-RuCl 3 has attracted considerable interest because it is proximate to the Kitaev Hamiltonian whose excitations are Majoranas and vortices. The thermal Hall conductivity κ xy of Majorana fermions is predicted to be half-quantized. Half-quantization of κxy/T (T, temperature) was recently reported, but this observation has proven difficult to reproduce. Here, we report detailed measurements of κ xy on α-RuCl3 with the magnetic field B ∥ a (zigzag axis). In our experiment, κ xy /T is observed to be strongly temperature dependent between 0.5 and 10 K. We show that its temperature profile matches the distinct form expected for topological bosonic modes in a Chern-insulator-like model. Our analysis yields magnon band energies in agreement with spectroscopic experiments. At high B, the spin excitations evolve into magnon-like modes with a Chern number of ~1. In conclusion, the bosonic character is incompatible with half-quantization of κ xy /T.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Experimental evidence for nonspherical magnetic form factor in Ru 3 +

The Mott insulator ..alpha..-RuCl3 has generated great interest in the community due to its possible field-induced Kitaev quantum spin liquid state. Despite enormous effort spent trying to obtain the form of the low-energy Hamiltonian, there is currently no agreed upon set of parameters which is able to explain all of the data. A key piece of missing information lies in the determination of the magnetic form factor of Ru3+, particularly for a true quantitative treatment of inelastic neutron scattering data. Here we present the experimentally derived magnetic form factor of Ru3+ in the low spin 4d5 state using polarized neutron diffraction within the paramagnetic regime on high-quality single crystals of ..alpha..-RuCl3. We observe strong evidence of an anisotropic form factor, expected of the spin-orbit coupled jeff=12 ground state. We model the static magnetization density in increasing complexity from simple isotropic cases, to a multipolar expansion, and, finally, ab initio calculations of the generalized jeff=12 ground state. Comparison of both single ion models and inclusion of Cl- anions support the presence of hybridization of Ru3+ with the surrounding Cl- ligands.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of nearly ideal J eff = 1/2 iridium halides

Heavy transition metal magnets with J e f f = 1 2 electronic ground states have attracted recent interest due to their penchant for hosting new classes of quantum spin liquids and superconductors. Unfortunately, model systems with ideal J e f f = 1 2 states are scarce due to the importance of noncubic local distortions in most candidate materials. In this work, we identify a family of iridium halide systems [i.e., K 2 Ir Cl 6 , K 2 Ir Br 6 , ( NH 4 ) 2 Ir Cl 6 , and Na 2 Ir Cl 6 · 6 ( H 2 O ) ] with Ir 4 + electronic ground states exhibiting extremely small deviations from the ideal J e f f = 1 2 limit. We also find ordered magnetic ground states for the three anhydrous systems, with single-crystal neutron diffraction on K 2 Ir Br 6 revealing type-I antiferromagnetism. This spin configuration is consistent with expectations for significant Kitaev exchange in a face-centered-cubic magnet. This work establishes that incorporating isolated Ir X 6 octahedra in materials, where X is a halogen ion with a low electronegativity, is an effective design principle for realizing unprecedented proximity to the pure J e f f = 1 2 state. However, at the same time, we highlight undeniable deviations from this ideal state, even in clean materials with ideal Ir X 6 octahedra as inferred from the global cubic crystal structures.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Field-induced intermediate ordered phase and anisotropic interlayer interactions in α-RuCl 3

In α-RuCl 3 , an external magnetic field applied within the honeycomb plane can induce a transition from a magnetically ordered state to a disordered state that is potentially related to the Kitaev quantum spin liquid. In zero field, single crystals with minimal stacking faults display a low-temperature state with in-plane zigzag antiferromagnetic order and a three-layer periodicity in the direction perpendicular to the honeycomb planes. In this work, we present angle-dependent magnetization, ac susceptibility, and thermal transport data that demonstrate the presence of an additional intermediate-field ordered state at fields below the transition to the disordered phase. Neutron-diffraction results show that the magnetic structure in this phase is characterized by a six-layer periodicity in the direction perpendicular to the honeycomb planes. Theoretically, the intermediate ordered phase can be accounted for by including spin-anisotropic couplings between the layers in a three-dimensional spin model. Together, this demonstrates the importance of interlayer exchange interactions in α-RuCl 3 .

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗