arXiv subjects

Boran Zhou

Publications and source records attributed to Boran Zhou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Charge-6e superconductivity from doping SU(3) spin liquids

We propose doping $SU(3)$-symmetric spin liquids as a route toward charge-$6e$ superconductivity. This generalizes the idea of constructing charge-$4e$ superconductivity from doped $SU(4)$-symmetric phases. As a concrete platform, we study a bilayer triangular-lattice Hubbard model with $SU(3)$ spin symmetry and interlayer antiferromagnetic exchange. Using complementary parton constructions, we analyze doped $\mathbb{Z}_3$ quantum spin liquid and $SU(3)$-related chiral spin liquids. Doping a $\mathbb{Z}_3$ quantum spin liquid can produce an orthogonal metal with a gauge invariant fermi surface of charge-$3e$ fermionic trions. Pairing these trions gives a time-reversal-symmetric charge-$6e$ superconductor. Doping Abelian $SU(3)_1$ and $SU(6)_1$ chiral spin liquids yields chiral charge-$6e$ superconductors with and without residual Abelian topological order, respectively. Doping a non-Abelian $SU(3)_2$ chiral spin liquid leads to a non-Abelian chiral charge-$6e$ superconductor intertwined with $SO(3)_{-3}$ topological order and supporting non-Abelian $h/(6e)$ superconducting vortices. We also identify several other phases, including $\mathbb{Z}_3$ orthogonal metal, quantum anomalous Hall (crystal) phases enriched by $\mathbb{Z}_3$ or $\mathbb{Z}_2$ topological order, $SU(3)$-breaking charge-$2e$ superconductors, composite fermi liquid coupled to non-Abelian gauge field, and descendant chiral spin liquids. Our results identify doped $SU(3)$ spin liquids as a natural setting where symmetry, fractionalization, and topology cooperate to produce charge-$6e$ superconductivity.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Quantum Mott semimetal in a one-dimensional Hubbard model

Mott physics in topological bands has recently attracted considerable attention, particularly in the context of twisted bilayer graphene (TBG). However, the essential ingredients for stabilizing this physics remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate a quantum Mott semimetal phase as the ground state within a one-dimensional spinful Hubbard model featuring only one orbital per unit cell, protected by inversion and particle-hole symmetries. We start from a two-orbital model where a localized $f$ orbital on the A sublattice hybridizes with a delocalized $c$ orbital on the B sublattice. Projecting the $f$-orbital Hubbard $U$ onto the active flat band yields a lattice model with Wannier orbitals centered on the B sublattice. Similar to TBG, a momentum-space scale $k_*$ emerges, setting the interaction range in the projected model to $1/k_*$. While the ground state is ferromagnetic with only the Hubbard $U$, introducing an inter-site antiferromagnetic spin coupling $J$ stabilizes a Mott semimetal$^*$ phase with a central charge $c=3$. Using exact diagonalization (ED) and density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) methods, we show that this phase hosts a spinful Dirac fermion coexisting with a neutral spin mode -- analogous to the fractionalized Fermi liquid (FL$^*$) phase in higher dimensions. Furthermore, breaking particle-hole (PH) symmetry via dispersion transforms the Mott semimetal into a Mott insulator, which is separated from a distinct Mott insulating phase by a continuous transition with a polarization jump of $1/2$. Our work provides the first unbiased evidence of a Mott semimetal ground state and demonstrates that this 1D model captures some essential aspects of TBG physics, despite lacking a Wannier obstruction.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Symmetric topological Mott insulator and Mott semimetal

Correlated physics in nearly flat topological bands is a central theme in the study of moiré materials. While ground states at integer fillings are typically identified as quantum Hall ferromagnets within a Hartree-Fock framework, we propose the existence of symmetric topological Mott insulators (STMIs) that transcend this Slater determinant picture. Focusing on half-filling of each flavor per unit cell, we demonstrate the existence of STMIs which exhibit a quantized charge or spin Hall response. We first establish this phase in a bilayer Haldane-Hubbard model with localized orbitals on the $A$ sublattice and dispersive band on the $B$ sublattice. Starting from a trivial Mott insulator on the $A$ sublattice, tuning the sublattice potential drives a Bose-Einstein-condensation (BEC) to Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) transition of the associated $p-\mathrm{i}p$ exciton pairing, realizing a topological Mott insulator with $C=1$ per flavor. We further generalize this construction to a single-layer spinful model, where the resulting STMI hosts charge edge modes coexisting with bulk local moments. A Mott semimetal is identified at the quantum critical point between the STMI and the trivial Mott insulator. Finally, we discuss applications to AA-stacked MoTe$_2$/WSe$_2$, proposing a ferromagnetic Chern insulator phase as a low-temperature descendant of the symmetric Mott semimetal.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Mixed valence Mott insulator and composite excitation in twisted bilayer graphene

Interplay of strong correlation and flat topological band has been a central problem in moiré systems such as the magic angle twisted bilayer graphene (TBG). Recent studies show that Mott-like states may still be possible in TBG despite the Wannier obstruction. However, the nature of such unconventional states is still not well understood. In this work we construct the ground state wavefunction and exotic excitations of a symmetric correlated semimetal or insulator at even integer filling using a parton mean field theory of the topological heavy fermion model. We label the valence of the $f$ orbital based on its occupation $n_f$. At $ν=-2$, we show that the $f$ orbital is not in the simple $f^{2+}$ valence expected from a trivial Mott localization. Instead, around $1/3$ of AA sites are self doped, with holes entering the $c$ orbitals away from AA sites. As a result, the $f$ orbital is in a superposition of $f^{2+}$ and $f^{3+}$ valences and should not be viewed as local moment. We dub the phase as \textit{mixed valence Mott insulator}. This unconventional insulator has a large hybridization $\langle c^\dagger f \rangle\neq 0$ and is sharply distinct from the usual `kondo breakdown' picture. In most of the momentum space away from the $Γ$ point, there is a Mott gap equal to the Hubbard $U$. At the $Γ$ point, we have a `charge transfer gap' much smaller than $U$. In particular, the top of the lower band is dominated by a composite excitation, which is a linear combination of $|f^{1+}\rangle\langle f^{2+}|$ and $|f^{2+}\rangle\langle f^{3+}|$ with a sign structure such that it is orthogonal to the microscopic $f$ operator. At $ν=0$, similar approach leads to a Mott semimetal. We hope this work will inspire more explorations of the Anderson models with a large hybridization, a regime which may host new physics beyond the familiar Kondo or heavy fermion systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

New classes of quantum anomalous Hall crystals in multilayer graphene

The recent experimental observation of quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effects in the rhombohedrally stacked pentalayer graphene has motivated theoretical discussions on the possibility of quantum anomalous Hall crystal (QAHC), a topological version of Wigner crystal. Conventional topological Wigner crystals typically have one electron per unit cell. In this work we propose new types of topological Wigner crystals labeled as QAHC-$z$, with $z$ electrons per unit cell. In the pentalayer graphene system, we find parameter regimes where QAHC-2 and QAHC-3 have lower energy than the conventional QAHC-1 at total filling $ν=1$ per moiré unit cell. These states all have total Chern number $C_\mathrm{tot}=1$ and are consistent with the QAH effect observed in the experiments. The larger period QAHC states have lower kinetic energy due to the unique Mexican-hat dispersion of the pentalayer graphene, which can compensate for the loss in the interaction energy. Unlike QAHC-1, QAHC-2 and QAHC-3 break the moiré translation symmetry and are sharply distinct from a moiré band insulator. We also briefly discuss the competition between integer QAH and fractional QAH states at filling $ν=2/3$. Moreover, we find that a stronger moiré potential can significantly change the phase diagram and even favors a QAHC-1 ansatz with $C=2$ Chern band.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Ancilla theory of twisted bilayer graphene I: topological Mott localization and pseudogap metal in twisted bilayer graphene

The recent experimental studies of twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) raise a fundamental question: how do we understand Mott localization in a topological band? In this work, we offer a new perspective of Mott physics, which can be generalized to TBG directly in momentum space. In our theory, the Mott gap is understood as from an exciton-like hybridization $Φ(\mathbf k) c^\dagger(\mathbf k)ψ(\mathbf k)$ between the physical electron $c$ and an ancilla fermion $ψ$. In the conventional Mott insulator of trivial band, the hybridization is $s$-wave with $Φ(\mathbf k)=\frac{U}{2}$, where $U$ is the on-site Hubbard interaction. On the other hand, the band topology in TBG enforces a topological Mott hybridization with $Φ(\mathbf k)\sim k_x \pm i k_y$ in a small region around $\mathbf{k}=0$. We dub this new Mott state as topological Mott localization because of the $p\pm ip$ order parameter analogous to the topological superconductor. At $ν=0$, we find a topological Mott semimetal with a low energy effective theory resembling that of the untwisted bilayer graphene. For $ν=\pm 1, \pm 2, \pm 3$, we show transitions from correlated insulators to Mott semimetals at smaller $U$. In the most intriguing density region $ν=-2-x$, we propose a symmetric pseudogap metal at small $x$, which hosts a small Fermi surface and violates the perturbative Luttinger theorem. Interestingly, the quasiparticle is primarily formed by ancilla fermion, which we interpret as a composite fermion formed by a hole bound to a particle-hole pair. Our theory offers a unified language to describe the Mott localization in both trivial and topological bands in momentum space, and we anticipate applications in other moiré systems with topological Wannier obstruction, such as the twisted transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) homobilayer.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Topological electronic crystals in twisted bilayer-trilayer graphene

In a dilute two-dimensional electron gas, Coulomb interactions can stabilize the formation of a Wigner crystal. Although Wigner crystals are topologically trivial, it has been predicted that electrons in a partially-filled band can break continuous translational symmetry and time-reversal symmetry spontaneously to form a form of topological electron crystal known as an anomalous Hall crystal. Here, we report the observation of a generalized version of the anomalous Hall crystal in twisted bilayer-trilayer graphene, whose formation is driven by the moire potential. The crystal forms at a band filling factor of one electron per four moiré unit cells ($ν=1/4$) and quadruples the unit-cell area, coinciding with an integer quantum anomalous Hall effect. The Chern number of the state is exceptionally tunable, and can be switched reversibly between $+1$ and $-1$ by electric and magnetic fields. Several other topological electronic crystals arise in a modest magnetic field, originating from $ν=1/3$, $1/2$, $2/3$, and $3/2$. The quantum geometry of the folded bands is likely very different from that of the original parent band, enabling possible future discoveries of correlation-driven topological phenomena

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Variational wavefunction for Mott insulator at finite $U$ using ancilla qubits

The Mott regime with finite $U$ offers a promising platform for exploring novel phases of matter, such as quantum spin liquids (QSL) that exhibit fractionalization and emergent gauge field. Here, we provide a new class wavefunction, dubbed ancilla wavefunction, to capture both charge and spin (gauge) fluctuations in QSLs at finite $U$. The ancilla wavefunction can unify the Fermi liquid and Mott insulator phases with a single variation parameter $Φ$ tuning the charge gap. As $Φ\rightarrow\infty$, the wavefunction reduces to the Gutzwiller projected state, while at $Φ=U/2$, it is effectively equivalent to applying an inverse Schrieffer-Wolff transformation to the Gutzwiller projected state. This wavefunction can be numerically simulated in the matrix product state representation, and its performance is supported by numerical results for both one- and two-dimensional Hubbard models. Besides, we propose the possibility of a narrow regime of fractional Fermi liquid phase between the usual Fermi liquid and the Mott insulator phases close to the metal insulator transition -- a scenario typically overlooked by the conventional slave rotor theory. Our ancilla wavefunction offers a novel conceptual framework and a powerful numerical tool for understanding Mott physics.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Interplay of electronic crystals with integer and fractional Chern insulators in moiré pentalayer graphene

The rapid development of moiré quantum matter has recently led to the remarkable discovery of the fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect, and sparked predictions of other novel correlation-driven topological states. Here, we investigate the interplay of electronic crystals with integer and fractional Chern insulators in a moiré lattice of rhomobohedral pentalayer graphene (RPG) aligned with hexagonal boron nitride. At a doping of one electron per moiré unit cell, we see a correlated insulator with a Chern number that can be tuned between $C=0$ and $+1$ by an electric displacement field, accompanied by an array of other such insulators formed at fractional band fillings, $ν$. Collectively, these states likely correspond to trivial and topological electronic crystals, some of which spontaneously break the discrete translational symmetry of the moiré lattice. Upon applying a modest magnetic field, a narrow region forms around $ν=2/3$ in which transport measurements imply the emergence of a fractional Chern insulator, along with hints of weaker states at other fractional $ν$. In the same sample, we also see a unique sequence of incipient Chern insulators arising over a broad range of incommensurate band filling near two holes per moiré unit cell. Our results establish moiré RPG as a fertile platform for studying the competition and potential intertwining of electronic crystallization and topological charge fractionalization.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Fractional quantum anomalous Hall effects in rhombohedral multilayer graphene in the moiréless limit and in Coulomb imprinted superlattice

The standard theoretical framework for fractional quantum anomalous Hall effect (FQAH) assumes an isolated flat Chern band in the single particle level. In this paper we challenges this paradigm for the FQAH recently observed in the pentalayer rhombohedral stacked graphene aligned with hexagon boron nitride (hBN). We show that the external moiré superlattice potential is simply a perturbation in a model with continuous translation symmetry. Through Hartree Fock calculation, we find that interaction opens a sizable remote band gap, resulting an isolated narrow $C=1$ Chern band at filling $ν=1$. From exact diagonalization (ED) we identify FQAH phases at various fillings. But they exist also in the calculations without any external moiré potential. We suggest that the QAH insulator at $ν=1$ should be viewed as an interaction driven topological Wigner crystal with QAH effect, which is then pinned by a small moiré potential. The $C=1$ QAH crystal is robust with a crystal period around $10\mathrm{nm}$ in 4-layer, 5-layer, 6-layer and 7-layer graphene systems. Our work suggests a new direction to exploring the interplay of topology and FQAH with spontaneous crystal formation in the vanishing moiré potential limit. We also propose a new system to generate and control both honeycomb and triangular moiré superlattice potential through Coulomb interaction from another control layer, which can stabilize or suppress the QAH crystal depending on the density of the control layer.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Type II t-J model in charge transfer regime in bilayer La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ and trilayer La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$

Recent observations of an 80 K superconductor in La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ under high pressure have attracted significant attention. Recent experiments indicate that La$_3$Ni$_2$O$_7$ may be in the charge transfer regime, challenging the previous models based purely on the Ni $d_{x^2-y^2}$ and $d_{z^2}$ orbitals. In this study, we propose a low energy model that incorporates doped holes in the oxygen $p$ orbitals. Given that the parent nickel state is in the $3d^{8}$ configuration with a spin-one moment, doped hole only screens it down to spin-half, in contrast to the Zhang-Rice singlet in cuprate. We dub the single hole state as Zhang-Rice spin-half and build an effective model which includes three spin-one states ($d^8$) and two Zhang-Rice spin-half states ($d^8 L$). At moderate pressure around $20$ GPa, the dominated oxygen orbital is an in-plane Wannier orbital with the same lattice symmetry as the $d_{x^2-y^2}$ orbital. The resulting model reduces to the bilayer type II t-J model previously proposed in the Mott-Hubbard regime. Notably, the hopping between the in-plane $p$ orbitals of the two layers is still suppressed. Density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) simulation reveals a pairing dome with the optimal hole doping level at $x=0.4\sim0.5$, distinct from the hole doped cuprate where optimal doping occurs around $x=0.19$. Further increasing pressure initially raises the critical temperature ($T_c$) until reaching an optimal pressure beyond which the $p_z$ orbital of oxygen becomes favorable and superconductivity is diminished. This shift from in-plane $p$ orbital to $p_z$ orbital may elucidate the experimentally observed superconducting dome with varying pressure. As an extension, we also suggest a trilayer version of the type II t-J model as the minimal model for pressured La$_4$Ni$_3$O$_{10}$, which is distinct from the models in the Mott-Hubbard regime.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Assessing Bilateral Neurovascular Bundles Function with Pulsed Wave Doppler Ultrasound: Implications for Reducing Erectile Dysfunction Following Prostate Radiotherapy

This study aims to evaluate the functional status of bilateral neurovascular bundles (NVBs) using pulsed wave Doppler ultrasound in patients undergoing prostate radiotherapy (RT). Sixty-two patients (mean age: 66.1 +/- 7.2 years) underwent transrectal ultrasound scan using a conventional ultrasound scanner, a 7.5 MHz bi-plane probe and a mechanical stepper. The ultrasound protocol comprised 3 steps: 1) 3D B-mode scans of the entire prostate, 2) localization of NVBs using color flow Doppler imaging, and 3) measurement of NVB function using pulsed wave Doppler. Five pulsed Doppler waveform features were extracted: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (Vm), resistive index (RI), and pulsatile index (PI). In summary, this study presents a Doppler evaluation of NVBs in patients undergoing prostate RT. It highlights substantial differences in Doppler ultrasound waveform features between bilateral NVBs. The proposed ultrasound method may prove valuable as clinicians strive to deliver NVB-sparing RT to preserve sexual function effectively and enhance patients' overall well-being.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2023

Ancilla wavefunctions of Mott insulator and pseudogap metal through quantum teleportation

Weak Mott regime with finite U is a wonderful region to search for quantum spin liquid, but it is challenging to write down a wavefunction capturing both spin liquid and charge fluctuations. Conventional methods using complicated Jastrow factors have difficulties when the underlying spin liquid has a non-trivial projective symmetry group (PSG). To cure this problem, here we provide a new class wavefunction for Mott insulator through quantum teleportation using ancilla qubits. We primarily focus on half filling of the fermionic Hubbard model. We will prove that a single variation parameter $Φ$ in our wavefunction tunes the Mott charge gap continuously. On a generic lattice, we show that the wavefunction at $Φ=+\infty$ recovers the familiar Gutzwiller projectived wavefunction at infinite U. The wavefunction at $Φ=\frac{U}{2}$ is equivalent to applying the inverse Schrieffer Wolff transformation at linear order of $t/U$, as expected in large but finite U regime. From a gauge theory description we can show that the wavefunction has an electronic sector decoupled from a spinon sector describing localized spin moments. The charge gap $Δ_c$ can be shown to be $2Φ$ and we conjecture that the wavefunction works well down to the regime with small charge gap on a generic lattice. We represent the wavefunction using tensor network and numerically confirm this conjecture in one dimension. Beyond the numerical power, the ancilla wavefunction also provides a new conceptual picture to understand the bandwidth tuned metal insulator transition. In this new framework, there can in principle exist a narrow region of fractional Fermi liquid (FL*) phase between the usual Fermi liquid and the Mott insulator, a scenario which is not captured by the conventional slave rotor theory and thus was usually outlooked.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Approximate SU(4) spin models on triangular and honeycomb lattices in twisted AB-Stacked WSe$_2$ homo-bilayer

In this paper, we derive lattice models for the narrow moiré bands of the AB-stacked twisted WSe$_2$ homobilayer through continuum model and Wannier orbital construction. Previous work has shown that an approximate SU(4) Hubbard model may be realized by combining spin and layer because inter-layer tunneling is suppressed due to spin $S_z$ conservation. However, Rashba spin-orbit coupling (SOC) was ignored in the previous analysis. Here, we show that a Rashba SOC of reasonable magnitude can induce a finite but very small inter-layer hopping in the final lattice Hubbard model. At total filling $n=1$, we derive a spin-layer model on a triangular lattice in the large-U limit where the inter-layer tunneling contributes as a sublattice-dependent transverse Ising field for the layer pseudospin. We then show that the $n=2$ Mott insulator is also captured by an approximate SU(4) spin model, but now on honeycomb lattice. We comment on the possibility of a Dirac spin liquid (DSL) and competing phases due to SU(4) anisotropy terms.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Chiral and nodal superconductors in t-J model with valley contrasting flux on triangular moiré lattice

Recent experimental progresses have made it possible to simulate spin 1/2 Hubbard model on triangular lattice in moiré materials formed by transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterobilayer or homobilayer. In twisted TMD homobilayer, a vertical electric field can induce a valley contrasting flux in the hopping term. In this paper we study possible superconductors from a t-J model with valley contrasting flux $Φ$ using the slave boson mean field theory. We obtain a phase diagram with doping $x$ and $Φ$. A finite $Φ$ breaks spin rotation symmetry and the pairing symmetry is a superposition of spin singlet $d-id$ and spin triplet $p+ip$. There are two topological phase transitions when tuning $Φ$ from $0$ to $π$, with three Dirac nodes at one transition and one single Dirac node at the other transition. We also discuss the effects of van Hove singularity and a three-site correlated hopping term on the pairing strength. Lastly, we demonstrate that a small anisotropy term breaking the $C_3$ rotation can lead to a time reversal invariant nodal superconductor connected to the $d_{x^2-y^2}$ superconductor on square lattice.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

A renormalization group approach to non-Hermitian topological quantum criticality

Critical transition points between symmetry-broken phases are characterized as fixed points in the renormalization group (RG) theory. We show that, following the standard Wilsonian procedure that traces out the large momentum modes, this well known fact can break down in non-Hermitian systems. Based on non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Hegger (SSH)-type models, we propose a real-space decimation scheme to study the criticality between the topological and trivial phase. We provide concrete examples and an analytic proof to show that the real-space scheme perfectly overcomes the insufficiency of the standard method, especially in the sense that it always preserves the system at criticality as fixed points under RG. The proposed method can also greatly simplify the search of critical points for complicated non-Hermitian models by ruling out the irrelevant operators. These results pave the way towards more advanced RG-based techniques for the interacting non-Hermitian quantum systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Artificial Intelligence in Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging: A Review

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) imaging is a reliable, fast and inexpensive technique to extract physically descriptive parameters for assessing pathologies. Despite its safety and efficacy, QUS suffers from several major drawbacks: poor imaging quality, inter- and intra-observer variability which hampers the reproducibility of measurements. Therefore, it is in great need to develop automatic method to improve the imaging quality and aid in measurements in QUS. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) applications in ultrasound imaging. However, no research has been found that surveyed the AI use in QUS. The purpose of this paper is to review recent research into the AI applications in QUS. This review first introduces the AI workflow, and then discusses the various AI applications in QUS. Finally, challenges and future potential AI applications in QUS are discussed.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2018

A Numerical Study of the Relationship Between Erectile Pressure and Shear Wave Speed of Corpus Cavernosa in Ultrasound Vibro-elastography

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between erectile pressure (EP) and shear wave speed of the corpus cavernosa obtained via a specific ultrasound vibro-elastography (UVE) technique. This study builds upon our prior investigation, in which UVE was used to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of the corpus cavernosa in the flaccid and erect states. A two-dimensional poroviscoelastic finite element model (FEM) was developed to simulate wave propagation in the penile tissue according to our experimental setup. Various levels of EP were applied to the corpus cavernosa, and the relationship between shear wave speed in the corpus cavernosa and EP was investigated. Results demonstrated non-linear, positive correlations between shear wave speeds in the corpus cavernosa and increasing EP at different vibration frequencies (100-200 Hz). These findings represent the first report of the impact of EP on shear wave speed and validates the use of UVE in the evaluation of men with erectile dysfunction. Further evaluations are warranted to determine the clinical utility of this instrument in the diagnosis and treatment of men with erectile dysfunction.

q-bio.TO↗