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Chi-Ken Lu

Publications and source records attributed to Chi-Ken Lu.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Supersymmetric Runge-Lenz-Pauli vector for Dirac vortex in topological insulators and graphene

The Dirac mass-vortex at the surface of a topological insulator or in graphene is considered. Within the linear approximation for the vortex amplitude's radial dependence, the spectrum is a series of degenerate bound states, which can be classified by a set of accidental SU(2) and supersymmetry generators (I. F. Herbut and C.-K. Lu, Phys. Rev. B 83 125412 (2011)). Here we discuss further the properties and manifestations of the supersymmetry of the vortex Hamiltonian, and point out some interesting analogies to the Runge-Lenz-Pauli vector in the non-relativistic hydrogen atom. Symmetry breaking effects due to a finite chemical potential, and the Zeeman field are also analyzed. We find that a residual accidental degeneracy remains only in the special case of equal magnitudes of both terms, whereas otherwise it becomes removed entirely.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Spectrum of the Dirac Hamiltonian with the mass-hedgehog in arbitrary dimension

It is shown that the square of the Dirac Hamiltonian with the isotropic mass-hedgehog potential in d dimensions is the number operator of fictitious bosons and fermions over d quantum states. This result allows one to obtain the complete spectrum and degeneracies of the Dirac Hamiltonian with the hedgehog mass configuration in any dimension. The result pertains to low-energy states in the core of a general superconducting or insulating vortex in graphene in two dimensions, and in the superconducting vortex at the topological - trivial insulator interface in three dimensions, for example. The spectrum in d=2 is also understood in terms of the underlying accidental SU(2) symmetry and the supersymmetry of the Hamiltonian.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Pairing symmetry and vortex zero-mode for superconducting Dirac fermions

We study the vortex zero-energy bound states in presence of pairing among the low-energy Dirac fermions on the surface of a topological insulator. The pairing symmetries considered include the $s$-wave, $p$-wave, and, in particular, the mixed-parity symmetry, which arises in absence of the inversion symmetry on the surface. The zero-mode is analyzed within the generalized Jackiw-Rossi-Dirac Hamiltonian that contains a momentum-dependent mass-term, and includes the effects of the electromagnetic gauge field and the Zeeman coupling as well. At a finite chemical potential, as long as the spectrum without the vortex is fully gapped, the presence of a single Fermi surface with a definite helicity always leads to one Majorana zero-mode, in which both electron's spin projections participate. In particular, the critical effects of the Zeeman coupling on the zero-mode are discussed.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Antilinear spectral symmetry and the vortex zero-modes in topological insulators and graphene

We construct the general extension of the four-dimensional Jackiw-Rossi-Dirac Hamiltonian that preserves the antilinear reflection symmetry between the positive and negative energy eigenstates. Among other systems, the resulting Hamiltonian describes the s-wave superconducting vortex at the surface of the topological insulator, at a finite chemical potential, and in the presence of both Zeeman and orbital couplings to the external magnetic field. Here we find that the bound zero-mode exists only when the Zeeman term is below a critical value. Other physical realizations pertaining to graphene are considered, and some novel zero-energy wave functions are analytically computed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

Spin current in topologically trivial and nontrivial noncentrosymmetric superconductors

We study theoretically the surface of time-reversal-symmetric, noncentrosymmetric superconductor with mixed singlet and triplet order parameters. A pair of counterpropagating subgap quasiparticle surface bound states with opposite spin projections are obtained in the nontrivial Z$_2$ case where the triplet component is larger than the singlet one, contributing to a spin current. In contrast to the pure p-wave cases, these subgap states do not have a fixed spin projections but depend on the momenta along the surface. In the trivial Z$_2$ case where the singlet order parameter is larger, no subgap surface bound states show up. In both cases, there is also a finite contribution to the spin current from the continuum states with energies between the two gaps. The method for obtaining the quasiclassical Green's functions associated with the noncentrosymmetric superconductors is also presented.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Spin current and spin accumulation near a Josephson junction between a singlet and triplet superconductor

We consider a Josephson junction with an arbitrary transmission coefficient $\mathcal{D}$ between a singlet and a triplet superconductor with the latter order parameter characterized by a d-vector of the form ($k_x\hat{y}-k_y\hat{x}$). Various quantities such as the tunnelling current, spin accumulation, and spin current are calculated via the quasiclassical Green's functions. We also present a symmetry argument on the existence of these quantities and their dependencies on the phase difference across the junction. A physical picture is also given in terms of the Andreev states near the junction.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Tranverse magnetic field distribution in the vortex state of noncentrosymmetric superconductor with O symmetry

We investigate the magnetic field distribution inside a Type II superconductor which has point group symmetry $O$ such as Li$_2$Pt$_3$B. The absence of inversion symmetry as a departure from perfect cubic group $O_h$ causes a magnetization collinear with the phase gradient associated with the order parameter, and a component of current collinear with the local magnetic field. In the vortex state, we predict, by solving the Maxwell equation, a local magnetic field transverse to the vortex lines. The probability distribution of this transverse field is also obtained for the prospective muon-spin-rotation measurements.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

Signature of superconducting states in cubic crystal without inversion symmetry

The effects of absence of inversion symmetry on superconducting states are investigated theoretically. In particular we focus on the noncentrosymmetric compounds which have the cubic symmetry $O$ like Li$_2$Pt$_3$B. An appropriate and isotropic spin-orbital interaction is added in the Hamiltonian and it acts like a magnetic monopole in the momentum space. The consequent pairing wavefunction has an additional triplet component in the pseudospin space, and a Zeeman magnetic field $\bf{B}$ can induce a collinear supercurrent $\bf{J}$ with a coefficient $κ(T)$. The effects of anisotropy embedded in the cubic symmetry and the nodal superconducting gap function on $κ(T)$ are also considered. From the macroscopic perspectives, the pair of mutually induced $\bf{J}$ and magnetization ${\bf{M}}$ can affect the distribution of magnetic field in such noncentrosymmetric superconductors, which is studied through solving the Maxwell equation in the Meissner geometry as well as the case of a single vortex line. In both cases, magnetic fields perpendicular to the external ones emerge as a signature of the broken symmetry.

cond-mat.supr-con↗