arXiv · 2011.11449
Topological Field Theory of Non-Hermitian Systems
Abstract
Non-Hermiticity gives rise to unique topological phases without Hermitian analogs. However, the effective field theory has yet to be established. Here, we develop a field-theoretical description of the intrinsic non-Hermitian topological phases. Because of the dissipative and nonequilibrium nature of non-Hermiticity, our theory is formulated solely in terms of spatial degrees of freedom, which contrasts with the conventional theory defined in spacetime. It provides the universal understanding about non-Hermitian topological phenomena, such as the unidirectional transport in one dimension and the chiral magnetic skin effect in three dimensions. Furthermore, it systematically predicts new physics; we illustrate this by revealing transport phenomena and skin effects in two dimensions induced by a perpendicular spatial texture. From the field-theoretical perspective, the non-Hermitian skin effect, which is anomalous localization due to non-Hermiticity, is shown to be a signature of an anomaly.
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Kohei Kawabata, Ken Shiozaki, Shinsei Ryu. 2021-02-15. Topological Field Theory of Non-Hermitian Systems. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.126.216405
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