arXiv subjects

Björn Trauzettel

Publications and source records attributed to Björn Trauzettel.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Conductance oscillations of antiferromagnetic layer tunnel junctions

We study the conductance oscillation of an antiferromagnetic layer tunnel junction composed of antiferromagnetic topological insulators (MTIs) such as MnBi$_{2}$Te$_{4}$. In presence of an in-plane magnetic field, we find that the two terminal differential conductance across the junction oscillates as a function of field strength. Notably, the quantum interference at weak fields for the odd-layer MTIs is distinctive from the even-layer MTIs due to the scattering phase difference. Consequently, the differential conductance is vanishing (maximized) at integer magnetic flux quanta for even-layer (odd-layer) junction. The conductance oscillations manifest the layer-dependent quantum interference in which symmetries and scattering phases play essential roles. In numerical calculations, we observe that the quantum interference undergoes an evolution from SQUID-like patterns to Fraunhofer-like oscillations as the junction length increases.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Quench-Probe Setup as Analyzer of Fractionalized Entanglement Spreading

We propose a novel spatially inhomogeneous setup for revealing quench-induced fractionalized excitations in entanglement dynamics. In this quench-probe setting, the region undergoing a quantum quench is tunnel-coupled to a static region, the probe.Subsequently, the time-dependent entanglement signatures of a tunable subset of excitations propagating to the probe are monitored by energy selectivity. We exemplify the power of this generic approach by identifying a unique dynamical signature associated with the presence of an isolated Majorana zero mode in the post-quench Hamiltonian. In this case excitations emitted from the topological part of the system give rise to a fractionalized jump of $\log(2)/2$ in the entanglement entropy of the probe. This dynamical effect is highly sensitive to the localized nature of the Majorana zero mode, but does not require the preparation of a topological initial state.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Magnetic topological transistor exploiting layer-selective transport

We propose a magnetic topological transistor based on MnBi$_{2}$Te$_{4}$, in which the "on" state (quantized conductance) and the "off" state (zero conductance) can be easily switched by changing the relative direction of two adjacent electric fields (parallel vs. antiparallel) applied within a two-terminal junction. We explain that the proposed magnetic topological transistor relies on a novel mechanism due to the interplay of topology, magnetism, and layer degrees of freedom in MnBi$_{2}$Te$_{4}$. Its performance depends substantially on film thickness and type of magnetic order. We show that "on" and "off" states of the transistor are robust against disorder due to the topological nature of the surface states. Our work opens an avenue for applications of layer-selective transport based on the topological van der Waals antiferromagnet MnBi$_{2}$Te$_{4}$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Effects of the Spatial Extension of the Edge Channels on the Interference Pattern of a Helical Josephson Junction

Josephson junctions (JJs) in the presence of a magnetic field exhibit qualitatively different interference patterns depending on the spatial distribution of the supercurrent through the junction. In JJs based on two-dimensional topological insulators (2DTIs), the electrons/holes forming a Cooper pair (CP) can either propagate along the same edge or be split into the two edges. The former leads to a SQUID-like interference pattern, with the superconducting flux quantum $ϕ_0$ (where $ϕ_0=h/2e$) as a fundamental period. If CPs' splitting is additionally included, the resultant periodicity doubles. Since the edge states are typically considered to be strongly localized, the critical current does not decay as a function of the magnetic field. The present paper goes beyond this approach and inspects a topological JJ in the tunneling regime featuring extended edge states. It is here considered the possibility that the two electrons of a CP propagate and explore the junction independently over length scales comparable to the superconducting coherence length. As a consequence of the spatial extension, a decaying pattern with different possible periods is obtained. In particular, it is shown that, if crossed Andreev reflections (CARs) are dominant and the edge states overlap, the resulting interference pattern features oscillations whose periodicity approaches $2ϕ_0$.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Topological Burning Glass Effect

We reveal a topological burning glass effect, where the local response of a system exhibits a topological quantization that is enhanced by an integer due to its environmental coupling. As a paradigmatic platform for this intriguing phenomenon, we study a central spin that is quasiperiodically driven by two incommensurate frequencies, and statically coupled to $N-1$ surrounding spins. In the strong coupling regime, the adiabatic dynamics of the total system is readily understood to imprint on the central spin an $N$-fold enhanced topological frequency conversion between the two driving frequencies. We argue that the topological burning glass effect is induced by the non-unitary dynamics of the central spin, which locally involves the collective motion of the surrounding spins. Our results are derived in the framework of adiabatic perturbation theory and fully corroborated by exact numerical simulations.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Transition from metal to higher-order topological insulator driven by random flux

Random flux is commonly believed to be incapable of driving full metal-insulator transitions in non-interacting systems. Here we show that random flux can after all induce a full metal-band insulator transition in the two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. Remarkably, we find that the resulting insulator can be an extrinsic higher-order topological insulator with zero-energy corner modes in proper regimes, rather than a conventional Anderson insulator. Employing both level statistics and finite-size scaling analysis, we characterize the metal-band insulator transition and numerically extract its critical exponent as $ν=2.48\pm0.08$. To reveal the physical mechanism underlying the transition, we present an effective band structure picture based on the random flux averaged Green's function.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Optimization of Richardson extrapolation for quantum error mitigation

Quantum error mitigation is a key concept for the development of practical applications based on current noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) devices. One of the most promising methods is Richardson extrapolation to the zero noise limit. While its main idea is rather simple, the full potential of Richardson extrapolation has not been completely uncovered yet. We give an in-depth analysis of the relevant parameters of Richardson extrapolation and propose an optimized protocol for its implementation. This protocol allows for a precise control of the increase in statistical uncertainty and lays the foundation for a significant improvement of the mitigation performance achieved by increasing the number of nodes. Furthermore, we present a novel set of nodes that, on average, outperforms the linear, exponential or Chebyshev nodes frequently used for Richardson extrapolation without requiring any additional resources.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2022

Andreev bound states in junctions formed by conventional and $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric non-Hermitian superconductors

We study theoretically a junction of a $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric non-Hermitian superconductor (PTS) placed between two conventional superconductors. We show that due to non-Hermitian electron-electron interaction in the PTS region and the combination of symmetries, only discrete values of phases of the conventional superconductors yield solutions for Andreev bound states. Remarkably, in the case of $0$ and $π$, we obtain growing and decaying in time Andreev bound states. For $π/2$ and $3π/2$, there is a Majorana zero mode penetrating through the junction in only one direction forming a quasiparticle supercurrent.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Dirac States in an Inclined Two-Dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Model

We propose to realize Dirac states in an inclined two-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model on a square lattice. We show that a pair of Dirac points protected by space-time inversion symmetry appear in the semimetal phase. The locations of these Dirac points are not pinned to any high-symmetry points of the Brillouin zone but are tunable through parameter modulations. Interestingly, the merging of two Dirac points undergoes a topological phase transition that leads to either a weak topological insulator or a nodal-line semimetal. We provide a systematic analysis of these topological phases from both bulk and boundary perspectives combined with symmetry arguments. We also discuss feasible experimental platforms to realize our model.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Anomalous flux periodicity in proximitised quantum spin Hall constrictions

We theoretically analyse a long constriction between the helical edge states of a two-dimensional topological insulator. The constriction is laterally tunnel-coupled to two superconductors and a magnetic field is applied perpendicularly to the plane of the two-dimensional topological insulator. The Josephson current is calculated analytically up to second order in the tunnel coupling both in the absence and in the presence of a bias (DC and AC Josephson currents). We show that in both cases the current acquires an anomalous $4π$-periodicity with respect to the magnetic flux that is absent if the two edges are not tunnel-coupled to each other. The result, that provides at the same time a characterisation of the device and a possible experimental signature of the coupling between the edges, is stable against temperature. The processes responsible for the anomalous $4π$-periodicity are the ones where, within the constriction, one of the two electrons forming a Cooper pair tunnels between the two edges.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Anomalous Gurzhi effect

We investigate the role of the chiral anomaly in hydrodynamic and crossover regimes of transport in a Weyl or Dirac semimetal film. We show that the magnetic-field-dependent part of the electric conductivity in the direction of the magnetic field develops an unusual nonmonotonic dependence on temperature dubbed the anomalous Gurzhi effect. This effect is realized in sufficiently clean semimetals subject to a classically weak magnetic field where the electron-electron scattering dominates and the relaxation of the valley-imbalance charge density happens at the boundaries. Moreover, the conditions for the realization of the conventional Gurzhi effect in hydrodynamic and crossover regimes of transport in three-dimensional Dirac and Weyl semimetals are determined.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Signature of PT-symmetric non-Hermitian superconductivity in angle-resolved photoelectron fluctuation spectroscopy

We show theoretically that the measurement of a $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric non-Hermitian superconductor by angle-resolved photoelectron fluctuation spectroscopy (ARPFS) provides a decisive signature. In fact, the signal is negative in a single-band case in contrast to the ARPFS signal of Hermitian superconductors. We suggest that the negative fluctuations can be explained by a remarkable pairing phenomenon: If the interaction between electrons in this $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric non-Hermitian superconductor is attractive then the interaction between holes (i.e. missing electrons) is repulsive and vice versa. This difference in the sign of the interactions gives rise to negative cross correlations. Here, we propose how such electron-electron interaction can occur due to spatiotemporal modulation of the material. We also discuss the observability of this signature in multi-band systems.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2022

Spin-resolved spectroscopy of helical Andreev bound states

We propose a versatile setup that allows performing spin-resolved spectroscopy of helical Andreev bound states, proving their existence and therefore the topological nature of the Josephson junction that hosts them. The latter is realized on the helical edge of a 2D topological insulator, proximitized with two superconducting electrodes. The spectroscopic analysis is enabled by a quantum point contact, which couples the junction with another helical edge acting as a spin-sensitive prove. By means of straightforward transport measurements, it is possible to detect the particular spin structure of the helical Andreev bound state and to shine light on the mechanism responsible for their existence, i.e. the presence of protected Andreev reflection within the Josephson junction. We discuss the robustness of this helical Andreev spectrometer with respect to processes that weaken spin to charge conversion.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Microscopic theory of the current-voltage characteristics of Josephson tunnel junctions

Deep theoretical understanding of the electrical response of Josephson junctions is indispensable regarding both recent discoveries of new kinds of superconductivity and technological advances such as superconducting quantum computers. Here, we study the microscopic theory of the DC current-biased $I$-$V$ characteristics of Josephson tunnel junctions. We derive an analytical formula of the $I$-$V$ characteristics of generic junctions. We identify subharmonics of the $I$-$V$ characteristics and their underlying mechanism as the feedback effect of intrinsic AC currents generated by voltage pulses in the past. We apply our theory to analytically solve the Werthamer equation and describe various DC current-biased $I$-$V$ characteristics as a function of softening of the superconducting gap. Strikingly, we identify voltage staircases of the $I$-$V$ characteristics in a genuine Josephson junction without AC current bias or qubit dynamics. Our general analytical formalism opens new avenues for a microscopic understanding of $I$-$V$ characteristics of Josephson junctions that have been limited to phenomenological models so far.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Intrinsic finite-energy Cooper pairing in $j=3/2$ superconductors

We show that Cooper pairing can occur intrinsically away from the Fermi surface in $j=3/2$ superconductors with strong spin-orbit coupling and equally curved bands in the normal state. In contrast to conventional pairing between spin-$1/2$ electrons, we derive that pairing can happen between inter-band electrons having different magnetic quantum numbers, for instance, $m_j=1/2$ and $m_j=3/2$. Such superconducting correlations manifest themselves by a pair of indirect gap-like structures at finite excitation energies. An observable signature of this exotic pairing is the emergence of a pair of symmetric superconducting coherence peaks in the density of states at finite energies. Moreover, the angular-momentum-resolved density of states in the presence of a perturbative Zeeman field reflects the $m_j$ composition of the Cooper pairs. We argue that such finite-energy pairing is a generic feature of $j=3/2$ superconductors, both in presence and absence of inversion symmetry.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Ever-present Majorana bound state in a generic one-dimensional superconductor with odd number of Fermi surfaces

A quasi-1D superconductor with odd number of Fermi surfaces is expected to exhibit a nondegenerate Majorana bound state at the Fermi level at its boundary with an insulator (where the latter could be an actual insulator material or vacuum, for a terminated sample). Previous explicit theoretical demonstrations of this property were done for specific microscopic models of the bulk Hamiltonian and, most importantly, of the boundary. In this work, we theoretically demonstrate that this property holds for the whole class of systems, using the symmetry-based formalism of low-energy continuum models and general boundary conditions. We derive the general form of the Bogoliubov-de Gennes low-energy Hamiltonian that is subject only to charge-conjugation symmetry $\mathcal{C}_+$ of the type $\mathcal{C}_+^2=+1$ and a few minimal assumptions. Crucially, we also derive the most general form of the boundary conditions describing the boundary with an insulator, subject only to the fundamental principle of the probability-current conservation and $\mathcal{C}_+$ symmetry. Such {\em normal-reflection} boundary conditions do not contain scattering between electrons and holes. We find that for odd number of Fermi surfaces a Majorana bound state always exists as long as the bulk is in the gapped superconducting state, irrespective of the parameters of the bulk Hamiltonian and boundary conditions. Importantly, our general model includes a possible {\em Fermi-point mismatch}, when the two Fermi points are not at exactly opposite momenta, which disfavors superconductivity. We find that the Fermi-point mismatch does {\em not} have a direct destructive effect on the Majorana bound state, in the sense that once the bulk gap is opened the bound state is always present.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Direct detection of odd-frequency superconductivity via time- and angle-resolved photoelectron fluctuation spectroscopy

We propose a measurement scheme to directly detect odd-frequency superconductivity via time- and angle-resolved photoelectron fluctuation spectroscopy. The scheme includes two consecutive, non-overlapping probe pulses applied to a superconducting sample. The photoemitted electrons are collected in a momentum-resolved fashion. Correlations between signals with opposite momenta are analyzed. Remarkably, these correlations are directly proportional to the absolute square of the time-ordered anomalous Green's function of the superconductor. This setup allows for the direct detection of the "hidden order parameter" of odd-frequency pairing. We illustrate this general scheme by analyzing the signal for the prototypical case of a two-band superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Perfect crossed Andreev reflection in Dirac hybrid junctions in the quantum Hall regime

Perfect crossed Andreev reflection (CAR) is striking for high-efficiency Cooper pair splitting which bears promising applications in quantum communication. Recent experimental advances have disclosed the way to explore CAR in Dirac fermion systems under ultra-strong magnetic fields. We develop a scattering approach to study quantum Hall-superconductor-quantum Hall (QH-S-QH) junctions formed by a two-dimensional (2D) time-reversal symmetric Dirac semimetal. We propose two different setups of the hybrid junction in the quantum limit where only zeroth Landau levels are involved in transport to exploit perfect CAR. In both setups, the CAR probability can reach unity without applying bias voltage and is controllable by the magnetic field strength, junction width, length and doping of the superconductor. CAR dominates the nonlocal transport and is directly measurable by the differential conductances. We also identify a quantized spin injection per CAR event in one of the two setups. Our proposal is experimentally feasible and will be helpful for exploring high-efficiency Cooper pair splitting and spin injection in Dirac materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗