arXiv subjects

Gianluca Panati

Publications and source records attributed to Gianluca Panati.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Dynamical delocalization in disordered 2D Chern insulators

We show the existence of energies exhibiting dynamical delocalization in discrete 2D Chern insulators perturbed by a random potential in a general setting. Our proof exploits two main features of the model: jumps in the integer value of the Chern character and continuity of averaged spectral projections in both energy and disorder parameters. This allows us to show robustness of the topological index in the presence of disorder, which, combined with existing methods to prove dynamical localization, allows us to provide detailed information on the phase diagram of the model. The novelty of our approach is that we are able to show dynamical delocalization in the disorder parameter, and not only in the energy parameter, which allows to prove Anderson metal-insulator transition even when spectral gaps close due to the strength of disorder.

math-ph↗

arXiv2024

Algebraic localization of generalized Wannier bases implies Roe triviality in any dimension

With the aim of understanding the localization topology correspondence for non periodic gapped quantum systems, we investigate the relation between the existence of an algebraically well-localized generalized Wannier basis and the topological triviality of the corresponding projection operator. Inspired by the work of M. Ludewig and G.C. Thiang, we consider the triviality of a projection in the sense of coarse geometry, i.e. as triviality in the $K_0$-theory of the Roe $C^*$-algebra of $\mathrm{R}^d$. We obtain in Theorem 2.8 a threshold, depending on the dimension, for the decay rate of the generalized Wannier functions which implies topological triviality in Roe sense. This threshold reduces, for $d = 2$, to the almost optimal threshold appearing in the Localization Dichotomy Conjecture.

math-ph↗

arXiv2023

Ultra-generalized Wannier bases: Are they relevant to topological transport?

We generalize Prodan's construction of radially localized generalized Wannier bases [E. Prodan, On the generalized Wannier functions. J. Math. Phys. 56(11), 113511 (2015)] to gapped quantum systems without time-reversal symmetry, including in particular magnetic Schrödinger operators, and we prove some basic properties of such bases. We investigate whether this notion might be relevant to topological transport by considering the explicitly solvable case of the Landau operator.

math-ph↗

arXiv2023

Localization of generalized Wannier bases implies Chern triviality in non-periodic insulators

We investigate the relation between the localization of generalized Wannier bases and the topological properties of two-dimensional gapped quantum systems of independent electrons in a disordered background, including magnetic fields, as in the case of Chern insulators and quantum Hall systems. We prove that the existence of a well-localized generalized Wannier basis for the Fermi projection implies the vanishing of the Chern character, which is proportional to the Hall conductivity in the linear response regime. Moreover, we state a localization dichotomy conjecture for general non-periodic gapped quantum systems.

math-ph↗

arXiv2020

A new approach to transport coefficients in the quantum spin Hall effect

We investigate some foundational issues in the quantum theory of spin transport, in the general case when the unperturbed Hamiltonian operator $H_0$ does not commute with the spin operator in view of Rashba interactions, as in the typical models for the Quantum Spin Hall effect. A gapped periodic one-particle Hamiltonian $H_0$ is perturbed by adding a constant electric field of intensity $\varepsilon \ll 1$ in the $j$-th direction, and the linear response in terms of a $S$-current in the $i$-th direction is computed, where $S$ is a generalized spin operator. We derive a general formula for the spin conductivity that covers both the choice of the conventional and of the proper spin current operator. We investigate the independence of the spin conductivity from the choice of the fundamental cell (Unit Cell Consistency), and we isolate a subclass of discrete periodic models where the conventional and the proper $S$-conductivity agree, thus showing that the controversy about the choice of the spin current operator is immaterial as far as models in this class are concerned. As a consequence of the general theory, we obtain that whenever the spin is (almost) conserved, the spin conductivity is (approximately) equal to the spin-Chern number. The method relies on the characterization of a non-equilibrium almost-stationary state (NEASS), which well approximates the physical state of the system (in the sense of space-adiabatic perturbation theory) and allows moreover to compute the response of the adiabatic $S$-current as the trace per unit volume of the $S$-current operator times the NEASS. This technique can be applied in a general framework, which includes both discrete and continuum models.

math-ph↗

arXiv2019

The Haldane model and its localization dichotomy

Gapped periodic quantum systems exhibit an interesting Localization Dichotomy, which emerges when one looks at the localization of the optimally localized Wannier functions associated to the Bloch bands below the gap. As recently proved, either these Wannier functions are exponentially localized, as it happens whenever the Hamiltonian operator is time-reversal symmetric, or they are delocalized in the sense that the expectation value of $|\mathbf{x}|^2$ diverges. Intermediate regimes are forbidden. Following the lesson of our Maestro, to whom this contribution is gratefully dedicated, we find useful to explain this subtle mathematical phenomenon in the simplest possible model, namely the discrete model proposed by Haldane (Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 2017 (1988)). We include a pedagogical introduction to the model and we explain its Localization Dichotomy by explicit analytical arguments. We then introduce the reader to the more general, model-independent version of the dichotomy proved in (Commun. Math. Phys. 359, 61-100 (2018)), and finally we announce further generalizations to non-periodic models.

math-ph↗

arXiv2019

Symmetry and localization for magnetic Schroedinger operators: Landau levels, Gabor frames and all that

We investigate the relation between broken time-reversal symmetry and localization of the electronic states, in the explicitly tractable case of the Landau model. We first review, for the reader's convenience, the symmetries of the Landau Hamiltonian and the relation of the latter with the Segal-Bargmann representation of Quantum Mechanics. We then study the localization properties of the Landau eigenstates by applying an abstract version of the Balian-Low Theorem to the operators corresponding to the coordinates of the centre of the cyclotron orbit in the classical theory. Our proof of the Balian-Low Theorem, although based on Battle's main argument, has the advantage of being representation-independent.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

Spin Conductance and Spin Conductivity in Topological Insulators: Analysis of Kubo-like terms

We investigate spin transport in 2-dimensional insulators, with the long-term goal of establishing whether any of the transport coefficients corresponds to the Fu-Kane-Mele index which characterizes 2d time-reversal-symmetric topological insulators. Inspired by the Kubo theory of charge transport, and by using a proper definition of the spin current operator, we define the Kubo-like spin conductance $G_K^{s_z}$ and spin conductivity $σ_K^{s_z}$. We prove that for any gapped, periodic, near-sighted discrete Hamiltonian, the above quantities are mathematically well-defined and the equality $G_K^{s_z} = σ_K^{s_z}$ holds true. Moreover, we argue that the physically relevant condition to obtain the equality above is the vanishing of the mesoscopic average of the spin-torque response, which holds true under our hypotheses on the Hamiltonian operator. This vanishing condition might be relevant in view of further extensions of the result, e.g. to ergodic random discrete Hamiltonians or to Schrödinger operators on the continuum. A central role in the proof is played by the trace per unit volume and by two generalizations of the trace, the principal value trace and it directional version.

math-ph↗

arXiv2017

Approximate controllability of the Jaynes-Cummings dynamics

We investigate the controllability of the Jaynes-Cummings dynamics in the resonant and nearly resonant regime. We analyze two different types of control operators acting on the bosonic part, corresponding - in the application to cavity QED - to an external electric and magnetic field, respectively. We prove approximate controllability for these models, for all values of the coupling constant g except those in a countable set S which is explicitly characterized in the statement. The proof relies on a spectral analysis which yields the non-resonance of the spectrum for every real g which is not in S.

math-ph↗

arXiv2017

Robust determination of maximally-localized Wannier functions

We propose an algorithm to determine Maximally Localized Wannier Functions (MLWFs). This algorithm, based on recent theoretical developments, does not require any physical input such as initial guesses for the Wannier functions, unlike popular schemes based on the projection method. We discuss how the projection method can fail on fine grids when the initial guesses are too far from MLWFs. We demonstrate that our algorithm is able to find localized Wannier functions through tests on two-dimensional systems, simplified models of semiconductors, and realistic DFT systems by interfacing with the Wannier90 code. We also test our algorithm on the Haldane and Kane-Mele models to examine how it fails in the presence of topological obstructions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2016

$\mathbb{Z}_2$ invariants of topological insulators as geometric obstructions

We consider a gapped periodic quantum system with time-reversal symmetry of fermionic (or odd) type, i.e. the time-reversal operator squares to -1. We investigate the existence of periodic and time-reversal invariant Bloch frames in dimensions 2 and 3. In 2d, the obstruction to the existence of such a frame is shown to be encoded in a $\mathbb{Z}_2$-valued topological invariant, which can be computed by a simple algorithm. We prove that the latter agrees with the Fu-Kane index. In 3d, instead, four $\mathbb{Z}_2$ invariants emerge from the construction, again related to the Fu-Kane-Mele indices. When no topological obstruction is present, we provide a constructive algorithm yielding explicitly a periodic and time-reversal invariant Bloch frame. The result is formulated in an abstract setting, so that it applies both to discrete models and to continuous ones.

math-ph↗

arXiv2016

Symmetry and localization in periodic crystals: triviality of Bloch bundles with a fermionic time-reversal symmetry

We describe some applications of group- and bundle-theoretic methods in solid state physics, showing how symmetries lead to a proof of the localization of electrons in gapped crystalline solids, as e.g. insulators and semiconductors. We shortly review the Bloch-Floquet decomposition of periodic operators, and the related concepts of Bloch frames and composite Wannier functions. We show that the latter are almost-exponentially localized if and only if there exists a smooth periodic Bloch frame, and that the obstruction to the latter condition is the triviality of a Hermitian vector bundle, called the Bloch bundle. The role of additional $\mathbb{Z}_2$-symmetries, as time-reversal and space-reflection symmetry, is discussed, showing how time-reversal symmetry implies the triviality of the Bloch bundle, both in the bosonic and in the fermionic case. Moreover, the same $\mathbb{Z}_2$-symmetry allows to define a finer notion of isomorphism and, consequently, to define new topological invariants, which agree with the indices introduced by Fu, Kane and Mele in the context of topological insulators.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Construction of real-valued localized composite Wannier functions for insulators

We consider a real periodic Schrödinger operator and a physically relevant family of $m \geq 1$ Bloch bands, separated by a gap from the rest of the spectrum, and we investigate the localization properties of the corresponding composite Wannier functions. To this aim, we show that in dimension $d \leq 3$ there exists a global frame consisting of smooth quasi-Bloch functions which are both periodic and time-reversal symmetric. Aiming to applications in computational physics, we provide a constructive algorithm to obtain such a Bloch frame. The construction yields the existence of a basis of composite Wannier functions which are real-valued and almost-exponentially localized. The proof of the main result exploits only the fundamental symmetries of the projector on the relevant bands, allowing applications, beyond the model specified above, to a broad range of gapped periodic quantum systems with a time-reversal symmetry of bosonic type.

math-ph↗

arXiv2015

Controllability of spin-boson systems

In this paper we study the so-called spin-boson system, namely {a two-level system} in interaction with a distinguished mode of a quantized bosonic field. We give a brief description of the controlled Rabi and Jaynes--Cummings models and we discuss their appearance in the mathematics and physics literature. We then study the controllability of the Rabi model when the control is an external field acting on the bosonic part. Applying geometric control techniques to the Galerkin approximation and using perturbation theory to guarantee non-resonance of the spectrum of the drift operator, we prove approximate controllability of the system, for almost every value of the interaction parameter.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Topological invariants of eigenvalue intersections and decrease of Wannier functions in graphene

We investigate the asymptotic decrease of the Wannier functions for the valence and conduction band of graphene, both in the monolayer and the multilayer case. Since the decrease of the Wannier functions is characterised by the structure of the Bloch eigenspaces around the Dirac points, we introduce a geometric invariant of the family of eigenspaces, baptised eigenspace vorticity. We compare it with the pseudospin winding number. For every value $n \in Z$ of the eigenspace vorticity, we exhibit a canonical model for the local topology of the eigenspaces. With the help of these canonical models, we show that the single band Wannier function $w$ satisfies $|w(x)| \leq \mathrm{const} |x|^{- 2}$ as $|x| \rightarrow \infty$, both in monolayer and bilayer graphene.

math-ph↗

arXiv2012

Bloch bundles, Marzari-Vanderbilt functional and maximally localized Wannier functions

We consider a periodic Schroedinger operator and the composite Wannier functions corresponding to a relevant family of its Bloch bands, separated by a gap from the rest of the spectrum. We study the associated localization functional introduced by Marzari and Vanderbilt, and we prove some results about the existence and exponential localization of its minimizers, in dimension d < 4. The proof exploits ideas and methods from the theory of harmonic maps between Riemannian manifolds.

math-ph↗

arXiv2012

The topological Bloch-Floquet transform and some applications

We investigate the relation between the symmetries of a Schrödinger operator and the related topological quantum numbers. We show that, under suitable assumptions on the symmetry algebra, a generalization of the Bloch-Floquet transform induces a direct integral decomposition of the algebra of observables. More relevantly, we prove that the generalized transform selects uniquely the set of "continuous sections" in the direct integral decomposition, thus yielding a Hilbert bundle. The proof is constructive and provides an explicit description of the fibers. The emerging geometric structure is a rigorous framework for a subsequent analysis of some topological invariants of the operator, to be developed elsewhere. Two running examples provide an Ariadne's thread through the paper. For the sake of completeness, we begin by reviewing two related classical theorems by von Neumann and Maurin.

math-ph↗

arXiv2010

Effective models for conductance in magnetic fields: derivation of Harper and Hofstadter models

Some relevant transport properties of solids do not depend only on the spectrum of the electronic Hamiltonian, but on finer properties preserved only by unitary equivalence, the most striking example being the conductance. When interested in such properties, and aiming to a simpler model, it is mandatory to check that the simpler effective Hamiltonian is approximately unitarily equivalent to the original one, in the appropriate asymptotic regime. In this paper, we consider the Hamiltonian of an electron in a 2-dimensional periodic potential (e.g. generated by the ionic cores of a crystalline solid) under the influence of a uniform transverse magnetic field. We prove that such Hamiltonian is approximately unitarily equivalent to a Hofstadter-like (resp. Harper-like) Hamiltonian, in the limit of weak (resp. strong) magnetic field. The result concerning the case of weak magnetic field holds true in any dimension. Finally, in the limit of strong uniform magnetic field, we show that an additional periodic magnetic potential induces a non-trivial coupling of the Landau bands.

math-ph↗