arXiv subjects

Ewelina M. Hankiewicz

Publications and source records attributed to Ewelina M. Hankiewicz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Conformal anomaly in magnetic finite temperature response of strongly interacting one-dimensional spin systems

The conformal anomaly indicates the breaking of conformal symmetry (angle-preserving transformations) in the quantum theory by quantum fluctuations and is a close cousin of the gravitational anomaly. We show, for the first time, that the conformal anomaly controls the variance of the local magnetization $M_{loc}$ at finite temperatures in spin chains and spin ladders. This effect is perceived at constant and variable temperature across the sample. The change of $M_{loc}$ induced by the conformal anomaly is of the order of 3-5\% of the maximal spin at one Kelvin for DIMPY or CuPzN and increases linearly with temperature. Further, for a temperature gradient of 10\% across the sample, the time-relaxation of the non-equilibrium $M_{loc}$ is of the order of nanoseconds. Thus, we believe that experimental techniques such as neutron scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance~(NMR), spin noise and ultrafast laser pumping should pinpoint the presence of the conformal anomaly. Therefore, we pave the road to detect the conformal anomaly in spin observables of strongly interacting low-dimensional magnets.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2022

Counterpropagating topological and quantum Hall edge channels

The survival of the quantum spin Hall edge channels in presence of an external magnetic field has been a subject of experimental and theoretical research. The inversion of Landau levels that accommodates the quantum spin Hall effect is destroyed at a critical magnetic field, and a trivial insulating gap appears in the spectrum for stronger fields. In this work, we report the absence of this transport gap in disordered two dimensional topological insulators in perpendicular magnetic fields of up to 16 T. Instead, we observe that a topological edge channel (from band inversion) coexists with a counterpropagating quantum Hall edge channel for magnetic fields at which the transition to the insulating regime is expected. For larger fields, we observe only the quantum Hall edge channel with transverse resistance close to $h/e^2$. By tuning the disorder using different fabrication processes, we find evidence that this unexpected $ν=1$ plateau originates from extended quantum Hall edge channels along a continuous network of charge puddles at the edges of the device.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Crystalline Weyl semimetal phase in Quantum Spin Hall systems under magnetic fields

We investigate an unconventional topological phase transition that occurs in quantum spin Hall (QSH) systems when applying an external in-plane magnetic field. We show that this transition between QSH and trivial insulator phases is separated by a stable topological gapless phase, which is protected by the combination of particle-hole and reflection symmetries, and thus, we dub it as crystalline Weyl semimetal. We explore the stability of this new phase when particle-hole symmetry breaking terms are present. Especially, we predict a robust unconventional topological phase transition to be visible for materials described by Kane and Mele model even if particle-hole symmetry is significantly broken.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Intrinsic emergence of Majorana modes in Luttinger j=3/2 systems

We analyze theoretically two different setups for s-wave superconductivity (SC) proximitized $j=3/2$ particles in Luttinger materials that are able to host Majorana bound states (MBSs). First, we consider a one-dimensional SC wire with intrinsic bulk inversion asymmetry (BIA). In contrast to wires, modeled by a quadratic dispersion with Rashba spin-orbit coupling, there are two topological phase transitions in our systems at finite magnetic fields. Second, we analyze a two-dimensional Josephson junction on the Luttinger model finding a topological region even in the absence of BIA and Rashba spin-orbit couplings. This originates from the hybridization of the light and heavy hole bands of the $j=3/2$ states in combination with the SC pairing. As a consequence, both systems can be driven into a topological phase hosting MBSs. Hence, we predict that MBSs form in any SC proximitized Josephson junction on 2D Luttinger materials by the application of magnetic field alone. This opens a new avenue for the search of topological SC.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2021

Interplay of Band Geometry and Topology in Ideal Chern Insulators in Presence of External Electromagnetic Fields

Ideal Chern insulating phases arise in two-dimensional systems with broken time-reversal symmetry. They are characterized by having nearly-flat bands, and a uniform quantum geometry -- which combines the Berry curvature and quantum metric -- and by being incompressible. In this work, we analyze the role of the quantum geometry in ideal Chern insulators aiming to describe transport in presence of external out-of-plane magnetic and electric fields. We firstly show that in the absence of external perturbations, novel Berry connections appear in ideal Chern insulating phases. Secondly, we provide a detailed analysis of the deformation of the quantum geometry once weak out-of-plane magnetic fields are switched on. The perturbed Berry curvature and quantum metric provide an effective quantum geometry, which is analyzed in the insulating regime and provides an application of our novel connections. The conditions under which the Girvin-MacDonald-Platzman algebra is realized in this situation are discussed. Furthermore, an investigation of electrical transport due to the new effective quantum geometry is presented once an electric field is added. Restricting to the case of two bands in the metallic regime the quantum metric appears as measurable quantum mechanical correction in the Hall response. Our findings can be applied, for instance, to rhombohedral trilayer graphene at low energies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Lifting topological protection in a quantum spin Hall insulator by edge coupling

The scientific interest in two-dimensional topological insulators (2D TIs) is currently shifting from a more fundamental perspective to the exploration and design of novel functionalities. Key concepts for the use of 2D TIs in spintronics are based on the topological protection and spin-momentum locking of their helical edge states. In this study we present experimental evidence that topological protection can be (partially) lifted by pairwise coupling of 2D TI edges in close proximity. Using direct wave function mapping via scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) we compare isolated and coupled topological edges in the 2D TI bismuthene. The latter situation is realized by natural lattice line defects and reveals distinct quasi-particle interference (QPI) patterns, identified as electronic Fabry-Pérot resonator modes. In contrast, free edges show no sign of any single-particle backscattering. These results pave the way for novel device concepts based on active control of topological protection through inter-edge hybridization for, e.g., electronic Fabry-Pérot interferometry.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

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

Thermodynamics in topological Josephson junctions

We study the thermodynamic properties of topological Josephson junctions using a quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulator-based junction as an example. In particular, we propose that phase-dependent measurements of the heat capacity offer an alternative to Josephson-current measurements to demonstrate key topological features. Even in an equilibrium situation, where the fermion parity is not conserved, the heat capacity exhibits a pronounced double peak in its phase dependence as a signature of the protected zero-energy crossing in the Andreev spectrum. This double-peak feature is robust against changes of the tunneling barrier and thus allows one to distinguish between topological and trivial junctions. At short time scales fermion parity is conserved and the heat capacity is $4π$-periodic in the superconducting phase difference. We propose a dispersive setup coupling the Josephson junction to a tank LC circuit to measure the heat capacity of the QSH-based Josephson junction sufficiently fast to detect the $4π$-periodicity. Although explicitly calculated for a short QSH-based Josephson junction, our results are also applicable to long as well as nanowire-based topological Josephson junctions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2021

Planar Josephson Hall effect in topological Josephson junctions

Josephson junctions based on three-dimensional topological insulators offer intriguing possibilities to realize unconventional $p$-wave pairing and Majorana modes. Here, we provide a detailed study of the effect of a uniform magnetization in the normal region: We show how the interplay between the spin-momentum locking of the topological insulator and an in-plane magnetization parallel to the direction of phase bias leads to an asymmetry of the Andreev spectrum with respect to transverse momenta. If sufficiently large, this asymmetry induces a transition from a regime of gapless, counterpropagating Majorana modes to a regime with unprotected modes that are unidirectional at small transverse momenta. Intriguingly, the magnetization-induced asymmetry of the Andreev spectrum also gives rise to a Josephson Hall effect, that is, the appearance of a transverse Josephson current. The amplitude and current phase relation of the Josephson Hall current are studied in detail. In particular, we show how magnetic control and gating of the normal region can enable sizable Josephson Hall currents compared to the longitudinal Josephson current. Finally, we also propose in-plane magnetic fields as an alternative to the magnetization in the normal region and discuss how the planar Josephson Hall effect could be observed in experiments.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Topological Josephson Heat Engine

The promise of fault-tolerant quantum computing has made topological superconductors the focus of intense research during the past decade. In this context, topological Josephson junctions based on nanowires or on topological insulators provide an alternative route for probing topological superconductivity. As a hallmark of their topological nature, such junctions exhibit a ground-state fermion parity that is $4π$-periodic in the superconducting phase difference $ϕ$. Finding unambiguous experimental evidence for this $4π$-periodicity still proves a difficult task, however. Here we propose a topological Josephson heat engine implemented by a Josephson-Stirling cycle as an alternative thermodynamic approach to test the ground-state parity. Using a Josephson junction based on a quantum spin Hall (QSH) insulator, we show how the thermodynamic cycle can be used to test the $4π$-periodicity of the topological ground state and to distinguish between parity-conserving and non-parity-conserving engines. Interestingly, we find that parity conservation generally boosts both the efficiency and power of the topological heat engine with respect to its non-topological counterpart. Our results, applicable not only to QSH-based junctions but also to any topological Josephson junction, demonstrate the potential of the intriguing and fruitful marriage between topology and coherent thermodynamics.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Fate of Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect in the Presence of External Magnetic Fields and Particle-Hole Asymmetry

The quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect, a condensed matter analog of the parity anomaly, is characterized by a quantized Hall conductivity in the absence of an external magnetic field. However, it has been recently shown that, even in the presence of Landau levels, the QAH effect can be distinguished from the conventional quantum Hall (QH) effect due to the parity anomaly. As a signature of this effect, we predicted coexistent counterpropagating QAH and QH edge states. In the present work, we generalize these findings to QAH insulators with broken particle-hole symmetry. In particular, we derive the connection to the spectral asymmetry, which is a topological quantity arising in the context of Dirac-like systems. Moreover, it is shown that, depending on the magnetic field direction, particle-hole asymmetry strengthens or weakens the hybridization of the counterpropagating QH and QAH edge states. Implications for ferro- or paramagnetic topological insulators are derived which paves the way towards identifying signatures of the QAH effect even in external magnetic fields.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Interplay of Dirac nodes and Volkov-Pankratov surface states in compressively strained HgTe

Preceded by the discovery of topological insulators, Dirac and Weyl semimetals have become a pivotal direction of research in contemporary condensed matter physics. While easily accessible from a theoretical viewpoint, these topological semimetals pose a serious challenge in terms of experimental synthesis and analysis to allow for their unambiguous identification. In this work, we report on detailed transport experiments on compressively strained HgTe. Due to the superior sample quality in comparison to other topological semimetallic materials, this enables us to resolve the interplay of topological surface states and semimetallic bulk states to an unprecedented degree of precision and complexity. As our gate design allows us to precisely tune the Fermi level at the Weyl and Dirac points, we identify a magnetotransport regime dominated by Weyl/Dirac bulk state conduction for small carrier densities and by topological surface state conduction for larger carrier densities. As such, similar to topological insulators, HgTe provides the archetypical reference for the experimental investigation of topological semimetals.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2020

Emergent quantum Hall effects below $50$ mT in a two-dimensional topological insulator

The realization of the quantum spin Hall effect in HgTe quantum wells has led to the development of topological materials which, in combination with magnetism and superconductivity, are predicted to host chiral Majorana fermions. However, the large magnetization ($\sim$ a few tesla) in conventional quantum anomalous Hall system, makes it challenging to induce superconductivity. Here, we report two different emergent quantum Hall effects in HgTe quantum wells dilutely alloyed with Mn. Firstly, a novel quantum Hall state emerges from the quantum spin Hall state at an exceptionally low magnetic field of $\sim 50$ mT. Secondly, tuning towards the bulk $p$-regime, we resolve multiple quantum Hall plateaus at fields as low as $20 - 30$ mT, where transport is dominated by a van Hove singularity in the valence band. These emergent quantum Hall phenomena rely critically on the topological band structure of HgTe and their occurrence at very low fields make them an ideal candidate for interfacing with superconductors to realize chiral Majorana fermions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Functional dependence of the Hall viscosity-induced transverse voltage in two-dimensional Fermi liquids

The breaking of parity and time-reversal symmetry in two-dimensional Fermi liquids gives rise to non-dissipative transport features characterized by the Hall viscosity. In magnetic fields, the Hall viscous force directly competes with the Lorentz force, since both mechanisms contribute to the Hall voltage. In this work, we present a channel geometry that allows us to uniquely distinguish these two contributions and derive, for the first time, their functional dependency on all external parameters. We show that the ratio of the Hall viscous to the Lorentz force contribution is negative and that its modulus decreases with increasing width, slip-length and carrier density, while it increases with the electron-electron mean free path of our channel. In typical materials such as GaAs the Hall viscous contribution can dominate the Lorentz signal up to a few tens of millitesla until the total Hall voltage vanishes and subsequently is overcome by the Lorentz contribution. Moreover, we prove that the total Hall electric field is parabolic due to Lorentz effects, whereas the offset of this parabola is characterized by the Hall viscosity. Hence, our results pave the way to measure and identify the Hall viscosity via both global and local voltage measurements.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Tuning Topological Superconductivity in Phase-Controlled Josephson Junctions with Rashba and Dresselhaus Spin-Orbit Coupling

Recently, topological superconductors based on Josephson junctions in two-dimensional electron gases with strong Rashba spin-orbit coupling have been proposed as attractive alternatives to wire-based setups. Here, we elucidate how phase-controlled Josephson junctions based on quantum wells with [001] growth direction and an arbitrary combination of Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling can also host Majorana bound states for a wide range of parameters as long as the magnetic field is oriented appropriately. Hence, Majorana bound states based on Josephson junctions can appear in a wide class of two-dimensional electron gases. We study the effect of spin-orbit coupling, the Zeeman energies, and the superconducting phase difference to create a full topological phase diagram and find the optimal stability region to observe Majorana bound states in narrow junctions. Surprisingly, for equal Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling, well localized Majorana bound states can appear only for phase differences $ϕ\neqπ$ as the topological gap protecting the Majorana bound states vanishes at $ϕ=π$. Our results show that the ratio between Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit coupling or the choice of the in-plane crystallographic axis along which the superconducting phase bias is applied offer additional tunable knobs to test Majorana bound states in these systems. Finally, we discuss signatures of Majorana bound states that could be probed experimentally by tunneling conductance measurements at the edge of the junction.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2019

Parity anomaly driven topological transitions in magnetic field

Recent developments in solid state physics give a prospect to observe the parity anomaly in (2+1)D massive Dirac systems. Here we show, that the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) state in orbital magnetic fields originates from the Dirac mass term and induces an anomalous four-current related to the parity anomaly. This differentiates the QAH from the quantum Hall (QH) state for the experimentally relevant case of an effective constant density (seen by the gate). A direct signature of QAH phase in magnetic fields is a long $σ_{xy}= e^2/h$ ($σ_{xy}= -e^2/h$) plateau in Cr$_x$(Bi$_{1-y}$Sb$_y$)$_{2-x}$Te$_3$ (HgMnTe quantum wells). Furthermore, we predict a new transition between the quantum spin Hall (QSH) and the QAH state in magnetic fields, for constant effective carrier density, without magnetic impurities but driven by effective g-factors and particle-hole asymmetry. This transition can be related to the stability of edge states in the Dirac mass gap of 2D topological insulators (TIs), even in high magnetic fields.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Phase-tunable thermal rectification in the topological SQUIPT

We theoretically explore the behavior of thermal transport in the topological SQUIPT, in the linear and nonlinear regime. The device consists of a topological Josephson junction based on a two-dimensional topological insulator in contact with two superconducting leads, and a probe tunnel coupled to the topological edge states of the junction. We compare the performance of a normal metal and a graphene probe, showing that the topological SQUIPT behaves as a passive thermal rectifier and that it can reach a rectification coefficient of up to $~ 145\%$ with the normal metal probe. Moreover, the interplay between the superconducting leads and the helical edge states leads to a unique behaviour due to a Doppler shift like effect, that allows one to influence quasi-particle transport through the edge channels via the magnetic flux that penetrates the junction. Exploiting this effect, we can greatly enhance the rectification coefficient for temperatures below the critical temperature $T_\text{C}$ in an active rectification scheme.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Paradoxical extension of the edge states across the topological phase transition due to emergent approximate chiral symmetry in a quantum anomalous Hall system

We present a paradoxical finding that, in the vicinity of a topological phase transition in a quantum anomalous Hall system (Chern insulator), topology nearly always (except when the system obeys charge-conjugation symmetry) results in a significant extension of the edge-state structure beyond the minimal one required to satisfy the Chern numbers. The effect arises from the universal gapless linear-in-momentum Hamiltonian of the nodal semimetal describing the system right at the phase transition, whose form is enforced by the change of the Chern number. Its emergent approximate chiral symmetry results in an edge-state band in the vicinity of the node, in the region of momenta where such form is dominant. Upon opening the gap, this edge-state band is modified in the gap region, becoming "protected" (connected to the valence bulk band with one end and conduction band with the other) in the topologically nontrivial phase and "nonprotected" (connected to either the valence or conduction band with both ends) in the trivial phase. The edge-state band persists in the latter as long as the gap is small enough.

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