arXiv subjects

Christoph Karrasch

Publications and source records attributed to Christoph Karrasch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Universal correlations in the Abelian sandpile model

We numerically study the bulk correlation functions in the two-dimensional Abelian sandpile model, aiming both to compare with the predictions of logarithmic conformal field theory and to extend the analysis to lattices where analytical methods are difficult to apply. Wilson's algorithm efficiently generates large-scale uniform spanning trees in parallel, which can be mapped to independent recurrent configurations via the Majumdar--Dhar burning bijection, eliminating sample autocorrelations and yielding fast convergence. On the square (single-sublattice) and honeycomb (two-sublattice) lattices our results agree well with the analytical predictions. For the kagome lattice we provide the first systematic numerical study of the bulk correlation functions, and cross-check the bulk height-1 probability against a closed-form analytical expression that we also derive here via the lattice Green function.

math-ph↗

arXiv2026

Many-body correlations in Floquet steady-states: Frequency-resolved renormalization group of the driven Anderson impurity

We introduce a functional renormalization group framework formulated directly in the Floquet steady-state that systematically incorporates frequency-dependent interaction effects. By retaining the frequency structure of the two-particle vertex up to second order in interaction strength, our approach provides controlled access to dynamical response functions and nonequilibrium transport in driven, interacting systems. Using the periodically driven single-impurity Anderson model as a paradigmatic example, we benchmark our results against state-of-the-art Floquet Green's function methods and find quantitative agreement for finite-frequency observables up to intermediate interaction strengths. Remarkably, we also show that static properties are often captured reliably by much simpler approximations, suggesting practical pathways for modeling driven quantum materials. Finally, we demonstrate that although periodic driving of the dot strongly broadens the Kondo resonance through inelastic scattering, it leaves the many-body Kondo cloud largely intact. This robustness suppresses Floquet replicas of the Kondo peak and leads to a partial persistence of Kondo pinning, highlighting the resilience of emergent many-body correlations under local periodic driving.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Continuous unitary transformations using tensor network representations access the full many-body localized spectrum

We develop variational continuous unitary transformations (VCUTs), which integrate Wegner-Wilson flow equations with tensor network techniques to approximately diagonalize many-body localized (MBL) Hamiltonians. The diagonalizing unitary is represented as a matrix product operator whose bond dimension controls the accuracy. For the disordered Heisenberg chain, VCUTs accurately reproduces the full spectrum across the ergodic-to-MBL crossover at small system sizes and scales to $L = 48$ sites. Beyond eigenenergies, the method can track the spatial entanglement structure of the diagonalizing unitary $U(l)$ at each flow step, enabling identification of local integrals of motion deep in the MBL phase.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2026

Floquet Engineering Magnetism and Superconductivity in the Square-Lattice Hubbard Model

We study the interplay of magnetic order and superconductivity in the square-lattice Hubbard model under periodic driving with circularly polarized light. Formulating diagrammatic techniques based on the random-phase approximation in terms of Floquet Green's functions, allows us to analyze fluctuation-driven unconventional pairing for weak-to-moderate interactions. The interplay of repulsive interactions and photo-assisted hopping of electrons gives rise to a rich magnetic phase diagram featuring an antiferromagnetic-to-ferromagnetic transition prior to a Floquet Lifshitz transition. Close to the antiferromagnetic transition, topological $d+id$-wave superconductivity prevails in the phase diagram for a wide range of drive parameters. At intermediate-to-high frequency driving near the Floquet Lifshitz transition, superconducting orders are tuned from spin-singlet $d$-wave to spin-triplet $p$-wave character, providing an effective protocol for Floquet engineering topological superconductivity.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Itinerant magnetism in the triangular lattice Hubbard model at half-doping: Application to twisted transition-metal dichalcogenides

We use unrestricted Hartree-Fock, density matrix renormalization group, and variational projected entangled pair state calculations to investigate the ground state phase diagram of the triangular lattice Hubbard model at "half doping" relative to single occupancy, i.e. at a filling of $(1\pm \frac{1}{2})$ electrons per site. The electron-doped case has a nested Fermi surface in the non-interacting limit, and hence a weak-coupling instability towards density-wave orders whose wavevectors are determined by Fermi surface nesting conditions. We find that at moderate to strong interaction strengths other spatially-modulated orders arise, with wavevectors distinct from the nesting vectors. In particular, we identify a series closely-competing itinerant long-wavelength magnetically ordered states, yielding to uniform ferromagnetic order at the largest interaction strengths. For half-hole doping and a similar range of interaction strengths, our data indicate that magnetic orders are most likely absent.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Investigating Stark many-body localization with continuous unitary transformation flows

We investigate the ergodicity-to-localization transition in interacting fermion systems subjected to a spatially uniform electric field. For that we employ the recently proposed Tensorflow Equations (TFE), a type of continuous unitary flow equations. This enables us to iteratively determine an approximate diagonal basis of the quantum many-body system. We present improvements to the method, which achieves good accuracy at small to intermediate interaction strengths, even in the absence of an electric field or disorder. Then, we examine two quantities that reveal the fate of Stark MBL in 1D and 2D. First, we investigate the structure of the resulting basis to determine the crossover between ergodic and localized regimes with respect to electric field strength. Second, we simulate long-time dynamics at infinite temperature. Our results in 1D show a localization transition at non-zero field for finite interaction that vanishes with increasing system size leading to localization at infinitesimally small field even in the presence of interactions. In 2D we find less clear signatures of localization and strong finite size effects. We establish that the TFE work accurately up to intermediate times but cannot capture higher order effects in interaction strength that lead to delocalization at longer times in finite-size Stark MBL systems.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2025

Relaxation dynamics of a quantum spin coupled to a topological edge state

A classical impurity spin coupled to the spinful Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) chain is known to exhibit complex switching dynamics with incomplete spin relaxation. Here, we study the corrections that result from a full quantum treatment of the impurity spin. We find that in the topologically trivial case, the quantum spin behaves similarly to the classical one due to the absence of the Kondo effect for the trivial insulator. In the topological case, the quantum spin is significantly less likely to relax: It can be stuck at a pre-relaxation plateau with a sizable deviation from the expected relaxed value, and there is a large parameter regime where it does not relax at all but features an anomalously large Larmor frequency. Furthermore, we find an additional quantum effect where the pre-relaxation plateau can be hyperpolarized, i.e., the spin is stuck at a polarization value larger than the ground-state expectation value. This is possible due to the (incomplete) Kondo screening of the quantum spin, which is absent in the classical case. Our results are obtained via the ground state density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm and the time-dependent variational principle (TDVP), where the charge-SU(2) symmetry of the problem was exploited. Furthermore, we introduce and benchmark a method to predict the dynamics from the given numerical data based on the sparse identification of nonlinear dynamics (SINDy). This allows us to prolong the simulation timescale by a factor of 2.5, up to a maximal time of $10^3$ inverse hoppings.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Persistent Haldane Phase in Carbon Tetris Chains

We introduce the concept of tetris chains, which are linear arrays of 4-site molecules that differ by their intermolecular hopping geometry. We investigate the fermionic symmetry-protected topological Haldane phase in these systems using Hubbard-type models. The topological phase diagrams can be understood via different competing limits and mechanisms: strong-coupling $U\gg t$, weak-coupling $U\ll t$, and the weak intermolecular hopping limit $t'\ll t$. Our particular focus is on two tetris chains that are of experimental relevance. First, we show that a Y-chain of coarse-grained nanographene molecules (triangulenes) is robustly in the Haldane phase in the whole $t'-U$ plane due to the cooperative nature of the three limits. Secondly, we study a near-homogeneous Y$^{\prime}$-chain that is closely related to the electronic model for poly(p-phenylene vinylene). In the latter case, the above mechanisms compete, but the Haldane phase manifests robustly and is stable when long-ranged Pariser-Parr-Popple interactions are added. The site-edged Hubbard ladder can also be viewed as a tetris chain, which gives a very general perspective on the emergence of its fermionic Haldane phase. Our numerical results are obtained by large-scale, SU(2)-symmetric tensor network calculations. We employ the density-matrix-renormalization group as well as the variational uniform matrix-product state (VUMPS) algorithms for finite and infinite systems, respectively. The numerics are supplemented by analytical calculations of the bandstructure winding number.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

The 2025 Roadmap to Ultrafast Dynamics: Frontiers of Theoretical and Computational Modelling

The exploration of ultrafast phenomena is a frontier of condensed matter research, where the interplay of theory, computation, and experiment is unveiling new opportunities for understanding and engineering quantum materials. With the advent of advanced experimental techniques and computational tools, it has become possible to probe and manipulate nonequilibrium processes at unprecedented temporal and spatial resolutions, providing insights into the dynamical behavior of matter under extreme conditions. These capabilities have the potential to revolutionize fields ranging from optoelectronics and quantum information to catalysis and energy storage. This Roadmap captures the collective progress and vision of leading researchers, addressing challenges and opportunities across key areas of ultrafast science. Contributions in this Roadmap span the development of ab initio methods for time-resolved spectroscopy, the dynamics of driven correlated systems, the engineering of materials in optical cavities, and the adoption of FAIR principles for data sharing and analysis. Together, these efforts highlight the interdisciplinary nature of ultrafast research and its reliance on cutting-edge methodologies, including quantum electrodynamical density-functional theory, correlated electronic structure methods, nonequilibrium Green's function approaches, quantum and ab initio simulations.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Terminable Transitions in a Topological Fermionic Ladder

Interacting fermionic ladders are important platforms to study quantum phases of matter, such as different types of Mott insulators. In particular, the D-Mott and S-Mott states hold pre-formed fermion pairs and become paired-fermion liquids upon doping (d-wave and s-wave, respectively). We show that the D-Mott and S-Mott phases are in fact two facets of the same topological phase and that the transition between them is terminable. These results provide a quantum analog of the well-known terminable liquid-to-gas transition. However, the phenomenology we uncover is even richer, as in contrast to the former, the order of the transition can be tuned by the interactions from continuous to first-order. The findings are based on numerical results using the variational uniform matrix-product state (VUMPS) formalism for infinite systems, and the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm for finite systems. This is complemented by analytical field-theoretical explanations. In particular, we present an effective theory to explain the change of transition order, which is potentially applicable to a broad range of other systems. The role of symmetries and edge states are briefly discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Matrix-product state approach to the generalized nuclear pairing Hamiltonian

We show that from the point of view of the generalized pairing Hamiltonian, the atomic nucleus is a system with small entanglement and can thus be described efficiently using a 1D tensor network (matrix-product state) despite the presence of long-range interactions. The ground state can be obtained using the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm, which is accurate up to machine precision even for large nuclei, is numerically as cheap as the widely used BCS (Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer) approach, and does not suffer from any mean-field artifacts. We apply this framework to compute the even-odd mass differences of all known lead isotopes from $^{178}$Pb to $^{220}$Pb in a very large configuration space of 13 shells between the neutron magic numbers 82 and 184 (i.e., two major shells) and find good agreement with the experiment. We also treat pairing with non-zero angular momentum and determine the lowest excited states in the full configuration space of one major shell, which we demonstrate for the $N=126$, $Z\geq 82$ isotones. To demonstrate the capabilities of the method beyond low-lying excitations, we calculate the first 100 excited states of $^{208}$Pb with singlet pairing and the two-neutron removal spectral function of $^{210}$Pb, which relates to a two-neutron pickup experiment.

nucl-th↗

arXiv2023

Reviving product states in the disordered Heisenberg chain

When a generic quantum system is prepared in a simple initial condition, it typically equilibrates toward a state that can be described by a thermal ensemble. A known exception are localized systems which are non-ergodic and do not thermalize, however local observables are still believed to become stationary. Here we demonstrate that this general picture is incomplete by constructing product states which feature periodic high-fidelity revivals of the full wavefunction and local observables that oscillate indefinitely. The system neither equilibrates nor thermalizes. This is analogous to the phenomenon of weak ergodicity breaking due to many-body scars and challenges aspects of the current MBL phenomenology, such as the logarithmic growth of the entanglement entropy. To support our claim, we combine analytic arguments with large-scale tensor network numerics for the disordered Heisenberg chain. Our results hold for arbitrarily long times in chains of 160 sites up to machine precision.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Minimal one-dimensional model of bad metal behavior from fast particle-hole scattering

A strongly interacting plasma of linearly dispersing electron and hole excitations in two spatial dimensions (2D), also known as a Dirac fluid, can be captured by relativistic hydrodynamics and shares many universal features with other quantum critical systems. We propose a one-dimensional (1D) model to capture key aspects of the 2D Dirac fluid while including lattice effects and being amenable to non-perturbative computation. When interactions are added to the Dirac-like 1D dispersion without opening a gap, we show that this kind of irrelevant interaction is able to preserve Fermi-liquid-like quasi-particle features while relaxing a zero-momentum charge current via collisions between particle-hole excitations, leading to resistivity that is linear in temperature via a mechanism previously discussed for large-diameter metallic carbon nanotubes. We further provide a microscopic lattice model and obtain numerical results via density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) simulations, which support the above physical picture. The limits on such fast relaxation at strong coupling are of considerable interest because of the ubiquity of bad metals in experiments.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Dynamically generated quadrupole polarization using Floquet adiabatic evolution

We investigate the nonequilibrium dynamics of the $S=1$ quantum spin chain subjected to a time-dependent external drive, where the driving frequency is adiabatically decreased as a function of time (``Floquet adiabatic evolution''). We show that when driving the rhombic anisotropy term (known as the ``two-axis countertwisting'' in the context of squeezed spin states) of a Néel antiferromagnet, we are able to induce an overall enhancement in the quadrupole polarization, while at the same time suppressing the staggered magnetization order. The system evolves into a new state with a net quadrupole moment and antiferroquadrupolar correlations. This state remains stable at long times once the driving frequency is kept constant. On the other hand, we find that we cannot achieve a quadrupole polarization for the symmetry-protected Haldane phase, which remains robust against such driving.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Quantum spin spiral ground state of the ferrimagnetic sawtooth chain

The ferrimagnetic phase of the sawtooth chain with mixed ferromagnetic nearest-neighbour interactions $J$ and antiferromagnetic next-nearest-neighbour interactions $J'$ (within the isotropic Heisenberg model) was previously characterized as a phase with commensurate order. In this paper, we demonstrate that the system in fact exhibits an incommensurate quantum spin spiral. Even though the ground state is translationally invariant in terms of the local spin expectations $\avg{\vec{S}_i}$, the spiral can be detected via the connected spin-spin correlations $\avg{\vec{S}_i\cdot\vec{S}_j}-\avg{\vec{S}_i}\cdot\avg{\vec{S}_j}$ between the apical spins. It has a long wavelength that grows with $J'$ and that soon exceeds finite-system sizes typically employed in numerical simulations. A faithful treatment thus requires the use of state-of-the-art simulations for large, periodic systems. In this work, we are able to accurately treat up to $L=400$ sites (200 unit cells) with periodic boundary conditions using the density-matrix renormaliztion group (DMRG). Exploiting the SU(2) symmetry allows us to directly compute the lowest-energy state for a given total spin. Our results are corroborated by variational uniform matrix product state (VUMPS) calculations, which work directly in the thermodynamic limit at the cost of a lower accuracy.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Many-body localization and the area law in two dimensions

We study the high-energy phase diagram of a two-dimensional spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ Heisenberg model on a square lattice in the presence of either quenched or quasiperiodic disorder. The use of large-scale tensor network numerics allows us to compute the bipartite entanglement entropy for systems of up to $60 \times 7$ lattice sites. We provide evidence for the existence of a many-body localized regime for large disorder strength that features an area law in excited states and that violates the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis. From a finite-size analysis, we determine an estimate for the critical disorder strength where the transition to the ergodic regime occurs in the quenched case.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2022

Quantum Floquet engineering with an exactly solvable tight-binding chain in a cavity

Recent experimental advances enable the manipulation of quantum matter by exploiting the quantum nature of light. However, paradigmatic exactly solvable models, such as the Dicke, Rabi or Jaynes-Cummings models for quantum-optical systems, are scarce in the corresponding solid-state, quantum materials context. Focusing on the long-wavelength limit for the light, here, we provide such an exactly solvable model given by a tight-binding chain coupled to a single cavity mode via a quantized version of the Peierls substitution. We show that perturbative expansions in the light-matter coupling have to be taken with care and can easily lead to a false superradiant phase. Furthermore, we provide an analytical expression for the groundstate in the thermodynamic limit, in which the cavity photons are squeezed by the light-matter coupling. In addition, we derive analytical expressions for the electronic single-particle spectral function and optical conductivity. We unveil quantum Floquet engineering signatures in these dynamical response functions, such as analogs to dynamical localization and replica side bands, complementing paradigmatic classical Floquet engineering results. Strikingly, the Drude weight in the optical conductivity of the electrons is partially suppressed by the presence of a single cavity mode through an induced electron-electron interaction.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Magnetic properties of a capped kagome molecule with 60 quantum spins

We compute ground-state properties of the isotropic, antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model on the sodalite cage geometry. This is a 60-spin spherical molecule with 24 vertex-sharing tetrahedra which can be regarded as a molecular analogue of a capped kagome lattice and which has been synthesized with high-spin rare-earth atoms. Here, we focus on the $S=1/2$ case where quantum effects are strongest. We employ the SU(2)-symmetric density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG). We find a threefold degenerate ground state that breaks the spatial symmetry and that splits up the molecule into three large parts which are almost decoupled from each other. This stands in sharp contrast to the behaviour of most known spherical molecules. On a methodological level, the disconnection leads to "glassy dynamics" within the DMRG that cannot be targeted via standard techniques. In the presence of finite magnetic fields, we find broad magnetization plateaus at 4/5, 3/5, and 1/5 of the saturation, which one can understand in terms of localized magnons, singlets, and doublets which are again nearly decoupled from each other. At the saturation field, the zero-point entropy is $S=\ln(182)\approx 5.2$ in units of the Boltzmann constant.

cond-mat.str-el↗