arXiv subjects

Giandomenico Palumbo

Publications and source records attributed to Giandomenico Palumbo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Symplectic Hopf Insulator: Delicate Topology in Bosonic Bogoliubov-de Gennes Systems

Recent advances in topological phases have highlighted the role of symplectic (Krein-space) topology in the classification of bosonic Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BBdG) systems. In this work, we construct a BBdG realization of Hopf topology, which we dub the symplectic Hopf insulator, starting from a microscopic Bose-Hubbard generalization of the Moore-Ran-Wen model with weak on-site interactions treated within a Bogoliubov approximation. The resulting BBdG system admits a symplectic Hopf invariant, which we show to be integer-quantized for isolated bands. We establish that this topology is intrinsically delicate, requiring exactly two bosonic modes per unit cell, while remaining robust against weak interactions over a range of mass parameters. Upon terminating the three-dimensional insulator at a boundary, we find topologically protected in-gap surface states at finite excitation energy, whose protection is itself delicate. Our results establish the symplectic Hopf insulator as a robust yet delicate topological phase in weakly interacting bosonic systems lying beyond the tenfold-way classification.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Gouy Phase across PT-Symmetry Breaking in Non-Hermitian Dirac Systems

We study relativistic beam-like wave packets governed by a quasi-Hermitian massive Dirac Hamiltonian and uncover anomalous Gouy-phase behavior in non-Hermitian dynamics. We show that the Gouy phase provides a sensitive probe of the global $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry-breaking threshold: it remains purely real in the globally unbroken, quasi-Hermitian regime, while, after crossing the exceptional point, the Gouy phase changes sign and acquires an imaginary component. At the exceptional point, the Gouy-phase variation vanishes in the small-mass limit but becomes maximal for large masses, revealing a counterintuitive crossover from effectively classical to increasingly wave-like quantum behavior. We propose an experimental scheme to measure the components of the non-Hermitian Gouy phase in the broken regime by monitoring the attenuation of a light beam propagating through a lossy waveguide. These results highlight the potential of the non-Hermitian Gouy phase for photonic applications, including the determination of threshold conditions and the design and control of systems with gain and loss.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Boosting State Discrimination in Quantum Brownian Motion Channel via Memory-Induced Coherence Preservation

Preserving quantum resources in dissipative environments is a fundamental challenge in quantum information processing. While environmental interactions usually degrade quantum resources, we theoretically show that in a Quantum Brownian Motion (QBM) channel, continuous-variable state discrimination can be improved by increasing, rather than minimizing, the initial thermal noise. Specifically, without suppressing the inherent environmental dissipation, when combined with squeezing, this initial noise induces a coherence preservation mechanism driven by the transient non-thermalization of the probe with the bath. This preservation translates into a pronounced reduction in error probabilities for state discrimination between orthogonal squeezing directions. Furthermore, we also show that quadrature homodyne detection achieves near-optimal performance, approaching the Helstrom limit. These results highlight the advantage of exploiting thermal-squeezed states, offering a robust physical architecture for quantum communication in high-temperature environments.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Layer-Resolved Topological Metals in the Bilayer Lieb Lattice

We identify a two-dimensional time-reversal-invariant topological metallic phase on a bilayer Lieb lattice, characterized by a quantized layer--resolved pseudo-spin Chern number. Without the orbital-angular-momentum-dependent (OAM-dependent) coupling, the system gives rise to a time-reversal-invariant topological semimetal with a zero indirect gap and quantized pseudo-spin Chern number. Opposite-sign intralayer OAM-dependent coupling immediately converts the zero-indirect-gap semimetal into a metal, in which the global spectrum is metallic while the layer--resolved pseudo-spin Chern number remains well defined as long as the direct gap at each crystal momentum and the pseudo-spin gap remain open. The model also exhibits asymmetric boundary states: in the semimetallic regime, one edge hosts perfectly flat bands, whereas the opposite edge supports gapless counter-propagating modes forming a one-dimensional Dirac cone. An edge-localized interlayer coupling gaps only the counter-propagating edge states, leaving the flat-band edge essentially intact, while intralayer OAM-dependent coupling bends the exact flat band into a dispersive boundary mode without affecting the gapped Dirac edge. These results open a route toward the controlled engineering of layer--resolved topological gapless phases in synthetic and quantum materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Emergent fracton strings from covariant bi-form gauge field theory

We present a covariant field-theoretical framework for a rank-4 tensor gauge field theory describing fractonic string-like objects. We show that the most general quadratic, parity-preserving action naturally leads to a Maxwell-like sector, with tensorial analogues of electric and magnetic fields, Maxwell-like equations, a conserved energy-momentum tensor, and a Lorentz-like force. Remarkably, the theory gives rise to fracton-like string excitations purely from symmetry principles: constraints on the motion of these extended objects appear as Gauss-like laws, without being imposed by hand. One of these laws is new and corresponds to a generalised dipole conservation for closed strings, restricting their mobility and defining a novel class of fractonic string-like excitations. Finally, we uncover a connection to linearised area-metric gravity: in a suitable limit, the theory reduces to known covariant fracton models with rank-2 gauge fields, highlighting a deep link between fractonic matter and gravity-like structures. This provides a unified perspective on higher-rank gauge fields, extended excitations, and emergent gravitational features.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Probing Tensor Singularities and Their Euler-Class Descendants via Non-Abelian Quantum Geometry Measurement

We report the theoretical prediction and experimental observation of a new class of four-dimensional (4D) tensor singularities and their three-dimensional (3D) Euler-class descendants, protected by chiral and spacetime inversion symmetries on a superconducting circuit platform. The 4D point-like singularity/monopole, characterized by the Dixmier-Douady class of a real bundle gerbe associated with tensor gauge fields, is observed to evolve into a nodal ring carrying an additional first Euler class charge under symmetry-preserving perturbations. Dimensional reduction reveals 3D Euler and Euler curvature dipoles, exhibiting nontrivial Euler topology and a topological sum rule that ensures zero-energy flat bands inherit nontrivial topology even without interactions. Crucially, these high-dimensional degenerate systems are mapped and reconstructed using a hybrid analog-digital protocol designed for non-Abelian quantum geometry measurement within a superconducting qubit array. Our work not only expands the family of topological monopoles but also establishes a robust experimental framework for exploring high-order gauge theory and real-bundle topology across diverse quantum platforms.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Topological Optical Chirality Dichroism

We report on a universal topological dichroism of chiral three-dimensional systems in response to the chirality of light. We show that chiral topological invariants result in integer-quantized dichroic excitation rate differences. Moreover, we demonstrate that such topological effects arise more generally from coupling optical chirality to higher tensor Berry curvatures and Dixmier-Douady invariants of quantum states, including Hopf indices. We finally propose an experimental setup that leverages superchiral light as a smoking-gun probe of chiral band topologies in three-dimensional materials. Our findings establish an optical route for probing to date unobserved chiral electronic band topologies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Generalized GMP Algebra for Three-Dimensional Quantum Hall Fluids of Extended Objects

We develop a geometric framework for three-dimensional quantum Hall fluids of extended objects (quasi-strings) in the presence of a strong three-form background field associated with a bundle gerbe. In the strong-field regime, fast internal dynamics is frozen and the low-energy kinematics is governed by generalized guiding-center variables consisting of vectorial and tensorial coordinates. We show that these guiding-center variables obey a noncommutative geometry giving rise to a three-dimensional generalization of the Girvin-MacDonald-Platzman (GMP) algebra for projected density operators. Moreover, we relate this algebra to the canonical quantization of a topological BF+BB theory whose level is identified with the Dixmier-Douady invariant. Our results clarify the structure of incompressible quantum Hall-type phases and their geometric and topological features in three spatial dimensions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Zero Indirect Band Gap in Non-Hermitian Systems

Zero indirect gaps in band models are typically viewed as unstable and achievable only through fine-tuning. Recent works, however, have revealed robust semimetallic phases in Hermitian systems where the indirect gap remains pinned at zero over a finite parameter range. Here, we extend this paradigm to non-Hermitian lattice models by studying a one-dimensional diamond-like system with gain and loss. We show that the zero indirect band gap in the real part of the spectrum remains stable in the presence of non-Hermitian perturbations and identify the parameter regime in which this robustness persists. We find that the appearance of the zero indirect gap coincides with the suppression of the non-Hermitian skin effect. Our results reveal new connections between indirect gaps, exceptional points and non-Hermitian skin effect, opening avenues for experimental realizations.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Quantum geometric tensors from sub-bundle geometry

The geometric properties of quantum states are crucial for understanding many physical phenomena in quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics, and optics. The central object describing these properties is the quantum geometric tensor, which unifies the Berry curvature and the quantum metric. In this work, we use the differential-geometric framework of vector bundles to analyze the properties of parameter-dependent quantum states and generalize the quantum geometric tensor to this setting. This construction is based on a general connection on a Hermitian vector bundle, which defines a notion of quantum state transport in parameter space, and a sub-bundle projector, which constrains the set of accessible quantum states. We show that the sub-bundle geometry is similar to that of submanifolds in Riemannian geometry and is described by generalized Gauss-Codazzi-Mainardi equations. This leads to a novel definition of the quantum geometric tensor that contains an additional curvature contribution. To illustrate our results, we describe the sub-bundle geometry arising in the semiclassical treatment of Dirac fields propagating in curved spacetime and show how the quantum geometric tensor, with its additional curvature contributions, is obtained in this case. As a concrete example, we consider Dirac fermions confined to a hyperbolic plane and demonstrate how spatial curvature influences the quantum geometry. This work sets the stage for further exploration of quantum systems in curved geometries, with applications in both high-energy physics and condensed matter systems.

math-ph↗

arXiv2025

Probing Tensor Monopoles and Gerbe Invariants in Three-Dimensional Topological Matter

We show that momentum-space tensor monopoles corresponding to nontrivial vector bundle generalizations, known as bundle gerbes, can be realized in bands of three-dimensional topological matter with nontrivial Hopf invariants. We provide a universal construction of tensor Berry connections in these topological phases, demonstrating how obstructions therein lead to $\mathbb{Z}$-quantized bulk magnetoelectric and nonlinear optical phenomena. We then pinpoint that these quantum effects are supported by intraband and interband torsion leading to nontrivial Dixmier-Douady classes in most known Hopf phases and in more general topological insulators realizing gerbe invariants falling beyond the tenfold classification of topological phases of matter. We furthermore provide an interacting generalization upon introducing many-body gerbe invariants by employing twisted boundary conditions. This opens an avenue to study gerbe invariants realized through higher-dimensional charge fractionalizations that can be electromagnetically probed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Fractonic self-duality and covariant magnetic fractons

Fractons, excitations with restricted mobility, have emerged as a novel paradigm in high-energy and condensed matter physics, revealing deep connections to gauge theories and gravity. Here, we propose a tensorial generalization of electromagnetic duality using a doubled-potential framework with two symmetric tensor gauge fields. This approach symmetrically describes electric and magnetic sectors, introducing covariant magnetic fractons with reduced mobility and supporting a genuine fractonic self-duality. Notably, we find the absence of a Witten-like effect in the covariant fractonic case, precluding the emergence of fractonic dyons.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Geometric Bloch oscillations and transverse displacement in flat band systems

We investigate transport phenomena and dynamical effects in flat bands where the band dispersion plays no role. We show that wavepackets in geometrically non-trivial flat bands can display dynamics when inhomogeneous electric fields are present. This dynamics is revealed both for the wavepacket trajectory and for its variance, for which we derive semiclassical equations extended to the non-Abelian case. Our findings are tested in flat band models in one- and two-dimensional lattices where the dynamics is solely determined by geometric effects, in the absence of band dispersion. In particular, in the one-dimensional case, we show the existence of Bloch oscillations for the wavepacket position and for the wavepacket variance, whereas in the two-dimensional case we observe a transverse displacement of the wavepacket in the absence of Berry curvature. This work paves the way for understanding quantum-geometry-induced dynamical effects in flat band materials and also opens the possibility for their observation with synthetic matter platforms.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Topological Insulators with Hybrid-order Boundary States

We report the discovery of several classes of novel topological insulators (TIs) with hybrid-order boundary states generated from the first-order TIs with additional crystalline symmetries. Unlike the current studies on hybrid-order TIs where different-order topology arises from merging different-order TIs in various energy, {\color{red} these novel TIs exhibit unique properties, featuring a remarkable coexistence of first-order gapless modes and higher-order Fermi arc states}, behaving as a hybrid between the first-order TIs and higher-order topological semimetals within a single bulk gap. Our findings establish a profound connection between these novel $d$-dimensional ($d$D) TIs and ($d-1$)D higher-order TIs (HOTIs), which can be understood as a result of stacking $(d-1)$D HOTIs to $d$D with $d=3,4$, revealing unconventional topological phase transitions by closing the gap in certain first-order boundaries rather than the bulk. The bulk-boundary correspondence between these higher-order Fermi-arcs and bulk topological invariants associated with additional crystalline symmetries is also demonstrated. We then address the conventional topological phase transitions from these novel TIs to nodal-line/nodal-surface semimetal phases, where the gapless phases host new kinds of topological responses. Meanwhile, we present the corresponding topological semimetal phases by stacking these unique TIs. Finally, we discuss potential ways to realize these novel phases in synthetic and real materials, with a particular focus on the feasible implementation in optical lattices using ultracold atoms.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Boundary Witten effect in multi-axion insulators

We explore novel topological responses and axion-like phenomena in three-dimensional insulating systems with spacetime-dependent mass terms encoding domain walls. Via a dimensional-reduction approach, we derive a new axion-electromagnetic coupling term involving three axion fields. This term yields a topological current in the bulk and, under specific conditions of the axions, real-space topological defects such as magnetic-like monopoles and hopfions. Moreover, once one the axions acquires a constant value, a nontrivial boundary theory realizes a (2+1)-dimensional analog of the Witten effect, which shows that point-like vortices on the gapped boundary of the system acquire half-integer electric charge. Our findings reveal rich topological structures emerging from multi-axion theories, suggesting new avenues in the study of topological phases and defects.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Massive Higher-Spin Fields in the Fractional Quantum Hall Effect

Incompressibility plays a key role in the geometric description of fractional quantum Hall fluids. It is naturally related to quantum area-preserving diffeomorphisms and the underlying Girvin-MacDonald-Plazman algebra, which gives rise to an emergent non-relativistic massive spin-2 mode propagating in the bulk. The corresponding metric tensor can be identified with a nematic order parameter for the bulk states. In the linearised regime with a flat background, it has been shown that this mode can be described by a spin-2 Schroedinger action. However, quantum area-preserving diffeomorphisms also suggest the existence of higher-spin modes that cannot be described through nematic fractional quantum Hall states. Here, we consider p-atic Hall phases, in which the corresponding p-atic order parameters are related to higher-rank symmetric tensors. We then show that in this framework, non-relativistic massive chiral higher-spin fields naturally emerge and that their dynamics is described by higher-spin Schroedinger actions. We finally show that these effective actions can be derived from relativistic massive higher-spin theories in 2+1 dimensions after taking a non-relativistic limit.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Weyl Geometry in Weyl Semimetals

A novel oscillatory behaviour of the DC conductivity in Weyl semimetals with vacancies has recently been identified, occurring in the absence of external magnetic fields. Here, we argue that this effect has a geometric interpretation in terms of a magnetic-like field induced by an emergent Weyl connection. This geometric gauge field is related to the non-metricity of the underlying effective geometry, which is physically induced by vacancies in the lattice system. Finally, we postulate that the chiral magnetic effect in Weyl semimetals can be affected by the presence of dynamical vacancies.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Fractons on curved spacetime in $2+1$ dimensions

We study dipole Chern-Simons theory with and without a cosmological constant in $2+1$ dimensions. We write the theory in a second order formulation and show that this leads to a fracton gauge theory coupled to Aristotelian geometry which can also be coupled to matter. This coupling exhibits the remarkable property of generalizing dipole gauge invariance to curved spacetimes, without placing any limitations on the possible geometries. We also use the second order formulation to construct a higher dimensional generalization of the action. Finally, for the $(2+1)$-dimensional Chern-Simons theory we find solutions and interpret these as electric monopoles, analyze their charges and argue that the asymptotic symmetries are infinite-dimensional.

hep-th↗