arXiv subjects

Enrique Muñoz

Publications and source records attributed to Enrique Muñoz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Earthquake Quantization

In this homage to Einstein's 144th birthday we propose a novel quantization prescription, where the paths of a path-integral are not random, but rather solutions of a geodesic equation in a random background. We show that this change of perspective can be made mathematically equivalent to the usual formulations of non-relativistic quantum mechanics. To conclude, we comment on conceptual issues, such as quantum gravity coupled to matter and the quantum equivalence principle.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Inversion symmetry breaking in the probability density by surface-bulk hybridization in topological insulators

We analyze the probability density distribution in a topological insulator slab of finite thickness, where the bulk and surface states are allowed to hybridize. By using an effective continuum Hamiltonian approach as a theoretical framework, we analytically obtained the wave functions for each state near the $Γ$-point. Our results reveal that, under particular combinations of the hybridized bulk and surface states, the spatial symmetry of the electronic probability density with respect to the center of the slab can be spontaneously broken. This symmetry breaking arises as a combination of the parity of the solutions, their spin projection, and the material constants.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

QED Fermions in a noisy magnetic field background: The effective action approach

We consider the effects of a noisy magnetic field background over the fermion propagator in QED, as an approximation to the spatial inhomogeneities and time-fluctuations that would naturally arise in certain physical scenarios, such as heavy-ion collisions or the quark-gluon plasma in the early stages of the evolution of the Universe. We considered a classical, finite and uniform average magnetic field background $\langle \mathbf{B}(\mathbf{x})\rangle_Δ = \mathbf{B}$, subject to white-noise fluctuations with auto-correlation of magnitude $Δ_B$. By means of the Schwinger representation of the propagator in the average magnetic field as a reference system, we used the replica formalism to study the effects of the magnetic noise at the mean field level, in terms of a vector order parameter $Q_j = \ii e Δ_B\langle\langle \barψγ_jψ\rangle\rangle_Δ$ whose magnitude represents the ensemble average (over magnetic noise) of the fermion currents. We identified the region where this order parameter acquires a finite value, thus breaking the $U(1)$-symmetry of the model due to the presence of the magnetic noise.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Electromagnetic coupling and transport in a topological insulator-graphene hetero-structure

The electromagnetic coupling between hetero-structures made of different materials is of great interest, both from the perspective of discovering new phenomena, as well as for its potential applications in novel devices. In this work, we study the electromagnetic coupling of a hetero-structure made of a topological insulator (TI) slab and a single graphene layer, where the later presents a diluted concentration of ionized impurities. We explore the topological effects of the magneto-electric polarizability (MEP) of the TI, as well as its relative dielectric permittivity on the electrical conductivity in graphene at low but finite temperatures.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Corrections to the Gyromagnetic Factor in Very Special Relativity

We consider Very Special Relativity corrections to the energy spectrum of a $C-$invariant Dirac Fermion in a static and homogeneous magnetic field $\vec B$. First, in the case of $\vec B$ parallel to the spatial VSR preferred direction $\vec n$, finding that the expression for the energy spectrum stays the same, except for a correction to the mass arising from the VSR contribution. Then, we relax the parallelism condition, finding a new equation for the energy spectrum. We solve this equation perturbatively. With a Penning trap's experiment in mind, we derive the first order VSR corrections to the electron's $g-2$ factor. Finally, using the current errors on the electron's $g$-factor measurements in Penning trap's experiments, we obtain an upper bound to the VSR electron mass parameter, and therefore also to the VSR electronic neutrino mass, of $0.824 \, eV$. This result does not contradict the possibility for VSR to be the origin of neutrino masses.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2022

QED Fermions in a noisy magnetic field background

We consider the effects of a noisy magnetic field background over the fermion propagator in QED, as an approximation to the spatial inhomogeneities that would naturally arise in certain physical scenarios, such as heavy-ion collisions or the quark-gluon plasma in the early stages of the evolution of the Universe. We considered a classical, finite and uniform average magnetic field background $\langle\mathbf{B}(\mathbf{x})\rangle = \mathbf{B}$, subject to white-noise spatial fluctuations with auto-correlation of magnitude $Δ_B$. By means of the Schwinger representation of the propagator in the average magnetic field as a reference system, we used the replica formalism to study the effects of the magnetic noise in the form of renormalized quasi-particle parameters, leading to an effective charge and an effective refraction index, that depend not only on the energy scale, as usual, but also on the magnitude of the noise $Δ_B$ and the average field $\mathbf{B}$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

The stepwise path integral of the relativistic point particle

In this paper we present a stepwise construction of the path integral over relativistic orbits in Euclidean spacetime. It is shown that the apparent problems of this path integral, like the breakdown of the naive Chapman-Kolmogorov relation, can be solved by a careful analysis of the overcounting associated with local and global symmetries. Based on this, the direct calculation of the quantum propagator of the relativistic point particle in the path integral formulation results from a simple and purely geometric construction. paperpitch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNMbCgPbq2A

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Optical conductivity as a probe of the interaction-driven metal in rhombohedral trilayer graphene

Study of the strongly correlated states in van der Waals heterostructures is one of the central topics in modern condensed matter physics. Among these, the rhombohedral trilayer graphene (RTG) occupies a prominent place since it hosts a variety of interaction-driven phases, with the metallic ones yielding exotic superconducting orders upon doping. Motivated by these experimental findings, we show within the framework of the low-energy Dirac theory that the optical conductivity can distinguish different candidates for a paramagnetic metallic ground state in this system. In particular, this observable shows a single peak in the fully gapped valence-bond state. On the other hand, the bond-current state features two pronounced peaks in the optical conductivity as the probing frequency increases. Finally, the rotational symmetry breaking charge-density wave exhibits a minimal conductivity with the value independent of the amplitude of the order parameter, which corresponds precisely to the splitting of the two cubic nodal points at the two valleys into two triplets of the band touching points featuring linearly dispersing quasiparticles. These features represent the smoking gun signatures of different candidate order parameters for the paramagnetic metallic ground state, which should motivate further experimental studies of the RTG.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Electronic transport in Weyl semimetals with a uniform concentration of torsional dislocations

In this article, we consider a theoretical model for a type I Weyl semimetal, under the presence of a diluted uniform concentration of torsional dislocations. By a mathematical analysis for partial wave scattering (phase-shift) for the T-matrix, we obtain the corresponding retarded and advanced Green's functions that include the effects of multiple scattering events with the ensemble of randomly distributed dislocations. Combining this analysis with the Kubo formalism, and including vertex corrections, we calculate the electronic conductivity as a function of temperature and concentration of dislocations. We further evaluate our analytical formulas to predict the electrical conductivity of several transition metal monopnictides, i.e. TaAs, TaP, NbAs and NbP.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

The role of morphology on the emergence of topologically trivial surface states and selection rules in topological-insulator nano-particles

Confined electronic states and optical transitions in 3D topological insulator nanoparticles have been studied in the literature, assuming idealized geometries such as spheres or infinitely long cylinders, that allow to obtain analytical solutions to the corresponding eigenvalue equation within such geometries. In contrast, in this article we consider triangular-shaped nanoplates as a more realistic approximation to the experimentally observed morphologies of topological insulator nanoparticles. In this particular geometry, we obtain analytical expressions for the confined eigenstates and the corresponding energy spectrum. Moreover, by a spatial representation of the probability density distribution of these states, we further identify the conditions leading to the emergence of topologically trivial surface states as a result of geometric confinement. Finally, we also study the optical transitions and the corresponding selection rules imposed by the nanoparticle size and morphology.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Thermo-magneto-electric transport through a torsion dislocation in a type I Weyl Semimetal

We study electronic and thermoelectric transport in a type I Weyl semimetal nanojunction, with a torsional dislocation defect, in the presence of an external magnetic field parallel to the dislocation axis. The defect is modeled in a cylindrical geometry, as a combination of a gauge field accounting for torsional strain, and a delta-potential barrier for the lattice mismatch effect. In the Landauer formalism, we find that due to the combination of strain and magnetic field, the electric current exhibits chiral valley-polarization, and the conductance displays the signature of Landau levels. We also compute the thermal transport coefficients, where a high thermopower and a large figure of merit are predicted for the junction.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Fermion mass and width in QED in a magnetic field

We revisit the calculation of the fermion self-energy in QED in the presence of a magnetic field. We show that, after carrying out the renormalization procedure and identifying the most general perturbative tensor structure for the modified fermion {mass operator} in the large field limit, the mass develops an imaginary part. This happens when account is made of the sub-leading contributions associated to Landau levels other than the lowest one. The imaginary part is associated to a spectral density describing the spread of the mass function in momentum. The center of the distribution corresponds to the magnetic-field modified mass. The width becomes small as the field intensity increases in such a way that for asymptotically large values of the field, when the separation between Landau levels becomes also large, the mass function describes a stable particle occupying only the lowest Landau level. For large but finite values of the magnetic field, the spectral density represents a finite probability for the fermion to occupy Landau levels other than the LLL.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Path integral of the relativistic point particle in Minkowski space

In this article, we analyze the fundamental global and local symmetries involved in the action for the free relativistic point particle. Moreover, we identify a hidden local symmetry, whose explicit consideration and factorization utilizing of a Fujikawa prescription, leads to the construction of relativistic propagators that satisfy the Chapman-Kolmogorov identity. By means of a detailed topological analysis, we find three different relativistic propagators (orthochronous, space-like, and Feynman) which are obtained from the exclusive integration of paths within different sectors in Minkowski space. Finally, the connection of this approach to the Feynman checkerboard construction is explored.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Chemical sensing with graphene: A quantum field theory perspective

We studied theoretically the effect of a low concentration of adsorbed polar molecules on the optical conductivity of graphene, within the Kubo linear response approximation. Our analysis is based on a continuum model approximation that includes up to next to nearest neighbors in the pristine graphene effective Hamiltonian, thus extending the field-theoretical analysis developed in Refs.[1,2]. Our results show that the conductivity can be expressed in terms of renormalized quasiparticle parameters $\tilde{v}_F$, $\tilde{M}$ and $\tildeμ$ that include the effect of the molecular surface concentration $n_{dip}$ and dipolar moment $\boldsymbol{\mathcal{P}}$, thus providing an analytical model for a graphene-based chemical sensor.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Sensing electrochemical signals using a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond

Chemical sensors with high sensitivity that can be used in extreme conditions and can be miniaturized are of high interest in science and industry. The Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is an ideal candidate as a nanosensor due to the long coherence time of its electron spin and its optical accessibility. In this theoretical work, we propose to use an NV center to detect electrochemical signals emerging from an electrolyte solution, thus obtaining a concentration sensor. For this purpose, we propose to use the inhomogeneous dephasing rate of the electron spin of the NV center ($1/T^*_2$) as a signal. We show that for a range of mean ionic concentrations in the bulk of the electrolyte solution, the electric field fluctuations produced by the diffusional fluctuations in the local concentration of ions, result in dephasing rates which can be inferred from free induction decay measurements. Moreover, we show that for a range of concentrations, the electric field generated at the position of the NV center can also be used to estimate the concentration of ions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Monopole versus spherical harmonic superconductors: Topological repulsion, coexistence and stability

The monopole harmonic superconductor (SC), proposed in doped Weyl semimetals as a pairing between the Fermi surfaces enclosing the Weyl points, is rather unusual, as it features the monopole charge inherited from the parent metallic phase. However, this state can compete with more conventional spherical harmonic pairings, such as an $s$-wave. We here demonstrate, within the framework of the weak coupling mean-field BCS theory, that the monopole and a conventional spherical harmonic SC quite generically coexist, while the repulsion can take place when the absolute value of the monopole charge matches the angular momentum quantum number of the spherical harmonic. As we show, this feature is a direct consequence of the topological nature of the monopole SC, and we dub it \emph{topological repulsion}. We illustrate the above principle with the example of the conventional $s-$ and $(p_x\pm ip_y)-$wave pairings competing with the monopole SC $Y_{-1,1,0}(θ,ϕ)$, which coexist in a finite region of the parameter space, and repel, respectively. Furthermore, the s-wave pairing is more stable both when the chemical potentials at the nodes are unequal, and in the presence of point-like charged impurities. Since the phase transition is discontinuous, close to the phase boundary, we predict that the Majorana surface modes at the interfaces between domains featuring the monopole and the trivial phases, such as an $s-$wave, will be the experimental signature of the monopole SC.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Dislocation defect as a bulk probe of monopole charge of multi-Weyl semimetals

Multi-Weyl semimetals feature band crossings with the dispersion that is, in general, linear in only one direction, and as a consequence their band structure is characterized by the monopole charge $n$ which can be greater than one. We show that a single screw dislocation defect oriented in the direction connecting the nodal points, which acts as an effective pseudo-magnetic flux tube, can serve as a direct probe of the monopole charge $n\geq1$ characterizing the bulk band structure of a multi-Weyl semimetal. To this end, as a proof of principle, we propose a rather simple mesoscopic setup in which the monopole charge leaves a direct imprint on the conductance measured in the plane perpendicular to the dislocation. In particular, the ratio of the positions of the neighboring maxima in the conductance as a function of the gate voltage can serve to deduce the monopole charge, while the value of the effective pseudo-magnetic flux can be extracted from the position of a conductance maximum. We expect that these findings will prompt further studies on the role of multiple dislocations, as well as other topological lattice defects, such as grain boundaries and disclinations, in topological nodal materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Gluon polarization tensor in a magnetized medium: Analytic approach starting from the sum over Landau levels

We present an analytic method to compute the one-loop magnetic correction to the gluon polarization tensor starting from the Landau-level representation of the quark propagator in the presence of an external magnetic field. We show that the general expression contains the vacuum contribution that can be isolated from the zero-field limit for finite gluon momentum. The general tensor structure for the gluon polarization also contains two spurious terms that do not satisfy the transversality properties. However, we also show that the coefficients of this structures vanish and thus do not contribute to the polarization tensor, as expected. In order to check the validity of the expressions we study the strong and weak field limits and show that well established results are reproduced. The findings can be used to study the conditions for gluons to equilibrate with the magnetic field produced during the early stages of a relativistic heavy-ion collision.

hep-th↗