Parafermion braiding in fractional quantum Hall edge states with a finite chemical potential

in Phys. Rev. B (2019), 100

Parafermions are non-Abelian anyons which generalize Majorana fermions and hold great promise for topological quantum computation. We study the braiding of Z2n parafermions which have been predicted to ... [more ▼]

Parafermions are non-Abelian anyons which generalize Majorana fermions and hold great promise for topological quantum computation. We study the braiding of Z2n parafermions which have been predicted to emerge as localized zero modes in fractional quantum Hall systems at filling factor ν=1/n (n odd). Using a combination of bosonization and refermionization, we calculate the energy splitting as a function of distance and chemical potential for a pair of parafermions separated by a gapped region. Braiding of parafermions in quantum Hall edge states can be implemented by repeated fusion and nucleation of parafermion pairs. We simulate the conventional braiding protocol of parafermions numerically, taking into account the finite separation and finite chemical potential. We show that a nonzero chemical potential poses challenges for the adiabaticity of the braiding process because it leads to accidental crossings in the spectrum. To remedy this, we propose an improved braiding protocol which avoids those degeneracies. [less ▲]

Mechanical Resonances of Mobile Impurities in a One-Dimensional Quantum Fluid

in Physical Review Letters (2019), 123

We study a one-dimensional interacting quantum liquid hosting a pair of mobile impurities causing backscattering. We determine the effective retarded interaction between the two impurities mediated by the ... [more ▼]

We study a one-dimensional interacting quantum liquid hosting a pair of mobile impurities causing backscattering. We determine the effective retarded interaction between the two impurities mediated by the liquid. We show that for strong backscattering this interaction gives rise to resonances and antiresonances in the finite-frequency mobility of the impurity pair. At the antiresonances, the two impurities remain at rest even when driven by a (small) external force. At the resonances, their synchronous motion follows the external drive in phase and reaches maximum amplitude. Using a perturbative renormalization group analysis in quantum tunneling across the impurities, we study the range of validity of our model. We predict that these mechanical antiresonances are observable in experiments on ultracold atom gases confined to one dimension. [less ▲]

Phase diagram of spin-1 chains with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction

in Physical Review. B (2019), 100

We investigate an antiferromagnetic spin-1 Heisenberg chain in the presence of Dyzaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI) and an external magnetic field. We study the resulting spin chain using a ... [more ▼]

We investigate an antiferromagnetic spin-1 Heisenberg chain in the presence of Dyzaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI) and an external magnetic field. We study the resulting spin chain using a combination of numerical and analytical techniques. Using DMRG simulations to determine the spectral gap and the entanglement spectrum, we map out the phase diagram as a function of magnetic field strength and DMI strength. We provide a qualitative interpretation for these numerical findings by mapping the spin-1 chain on a spin-1/2 ladder and using a bosonization approach. [less ▲]

Fundamental limits to helical edge conductivity due to sphin-phonon scattering

in Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter (2018), 97

Magnetotransport signatures of three-dimensional topological insulator nanostructures

in Physical Review. B (2018), 97(24), 245429

We study the magnetotransport properties of patterned 3D topological insulator nanostructures with several leads, such as kinks or Y-junctions, near the Dirac point with analytical as well as numerical ... [more ▼]

We study the magnetotransport properties of patterned 3D topological insulator nanostructures with several leads, such as kinks or Y-junctions, near the Dirac point with analytical as well as numerical techniques. The interplay of the nanostructure geometry, the external magnetic field, and the spin-momentum locking of the topological surface states lead to a richer magnetoconductance phenomenology as compared to straight nanowires. Similar to straight wires, a quantized conductance with perfect transmission across the nanostructure can be realized across a kink when the input and output channels are pierced by a half-integer magnetic flux quantum. Unlike for straight wires, there is an additional requirement depending on the orientation of the external magnetic field. A right-angle kink shows a unique π -periodic magnetoconductance signature as a function of the in-plane angle of the magnetic field. For a Y-junction, the transmission can be perfectly steered to either of the two possible output legs by a proper alignment of the external magnetic field. These magnetotransport signatures offer new ways to explore topological surface states and could be relevant for quantum transport experiments on nanostructures which can be realized with existing fabrication methods. [less ▲]

Unconventional superconductivity in the extended Hubbard model: Weak-coupling renormalization group

in Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (2018)

Fermionic reaction coordinates and their application to an autonomous Maxwell demon in the strong coupling regime

E-print/Working paper (2017)

Charge and energy fractionalization mechanism in one-dimensional channels

in Physical Review B (2017), 96

We study the problem of injecting single electrons into interacting one-dimensional quantum systems, a fundamental building block for electron quantum optics. It is well known that such injection leads to ... [more ▼]

We study the problem of injecting single electrons into interacting one-dimensional quantum systems, a fundamental building block for electron quantum optics. It is well known that such injection leads to charge and energy fractionalization. We elucidate this concept by calculating the nonequilibrium electron distribution function in the momentum and energy domains after the injection of an energy-resolved electron. Our results shed light on how fractionalization occurs via the creation of particle-hole pairs by the injected electron. In particular, we focus on systems with a pair of counterpropagating channels, and we fully analyze the properties of each chiral fractional excitation which is created by the injection. We suggest possible routes to access their energy and momentum distribution functions in topological quantum Hall or quantum spin-Hall edge states. [less ▲]

Charge pumping through a polaron quantum dot

Poster (2017, July)

Nanoelectromechanical systems exhibit a rich phenomenology due to the interaction of electronic and mechanical degrees of freedom. If this interaction is sufficiently strong, it leads to drastic ... [more ▼]

Nanoelectromechanical systems exhibit a rich phenomenology due to the interaction of electronic and mechanical degrees of freedom. If this interaction is sufficiently strong, it leads to drastic suppression of conductance ("Franck-Condon blockade''). We show that this blockade can be exponentially lifted by application of an AC voltage. Multi-parameter drive protocols generate a pump current which enjoys the same enhancement. [less ▲]

Charge and energy fractionalization mechanism in one-dimenional chanels

in Physical Review. B : Condensed Matter (2017)