arXiv subjects

L. S. Ricco

Publications and source records attributed to L. S. Ricco.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Phase transitions induced by resonant light: a phenomenological approach

We present a phenomenological framework to describe a subclass of light-induced phase transitions (LIPTs) in condensed matter systems, specifically those mediated by the resonant generation of excitons. Our approach extends the classical Landau theory by introducing dynamic coupling between the system's order parameter and complex excitonic fields, along with Langevin-type forces that drive the system toward states of minimal free energy. The model is applied in the context of all-optical resonant magnetization switching in two-dimensional magnetic materials, particularly reproducing the experimental findings for reverse magnetization by all-optical means for a monolayer CrI$_3$. Our phenomenological model can be applied to other systems characterized by an order parameter and excitonic fields created through resonant light, offering versatility and potential to guide future experimental and theoretical studies in LIPT phenomena.

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arXiv2026

Revisiting the Poor Man's Majoranas: The Spin-Exchange Induced Spillover Effect

We give a review on Poor Man's Majorana (PMM) modes, which are theoretically established in the minimal Kitaev chain implementation consisting of two grounded, spinless quantum dots (QDs) operating at the sweet spot condition, where electron cotunneling and crossed Andreev reflection amplitudes achieve precise balance. Particularly, we systematically review, within the Green's functions theoretical framework, the PMM hybridization dynamics under spin-exchange perturbations proposed by some of us in J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 37, 205601 (2025), which demonstrates a characteristic spatial delocalization when subjected to an exchange coupling $J$ mediated by a quantum spin $S$. This spin-exchange induced PMM spillover effect provides a spectroscopic protocol for determining the quantum statistics of $S$ through the emergent multi-level structure in the proximal QD's density of states. Our principal theoretical result establishes that the exchange interaction generates $2S+2$ ($2S+1$) satellite states symmetrically distributed about the zero-bias anomaly, serving as a definitive signature of bosonic (fermionic) spin statistics. As novelty, we demonstrate that multi-terminal environmental coupling induces significant suppression of the spin-exchange spillover mechanism. Under constrained variations of $J$, this effectively localizes the perturbed PMM within its host QD, preventing spatial hybridization with adjacent site. The absence of topological protection in this minimal Kitaev realization is strategically leveraged to: (i) Develop a novel spectroscopic technique for quantum spin characterization through PMM hybridization signatures; (ii) Propose the "environmentally induced protection", an engineered dissipative spectral stabilization for PMMs against exchange fluctuations in multi-terminal architectures.

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arXiv2025

Spin-Exchange Induced Spillover on Poor Man's Majoranas in Minimal Kitaev Chains

The "Poor Man's Majoranas" (PMMs) [Phys. Rev. B 86, 134528 (2012)] devoid of topological protection can "spill over" from one edge into another of the minimal Kitaev chain when perturbed electrostatically. As aftermath, this leads to a delocalized Majorana fermion (MF) at both the edges. Additionally, according to recent differential conductance measurements in a pair of superconducting and spinless quantum dots (QDs), such a PMM picture was brought to reality [Nature 614, 445 (2023) and Nature 630, 329 (2024)]. Based on this scenario, we propose the spillover of the PMM when its QD is exchange coupled to a quantum spin $S$. We show that if this QD is perturbed by the exchange coupling $J$, solely the half $2S+1$ $(2S+2)$ of the fine structure stays explicit for a fermionic (bosonic) $S.$ Concurrently, the other half squeezes itself as the delocalized MF zero-mode. Particularly, turning-off the superconductivity the multiplicity $2S+1$ holds regardless the spin statistics. Meanwhile, the PMM spillover induced by $J$ becomes a statistics dependent effect. Hence, our findings contribute to the comprehension of spin-phenomena interplay with superconductivity in minimal Kitaev chains, offering insights for future quantum computing devices hosting PMMs.

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arXiv2024

Squeezed state protection of fine structure in "Poor Man's Majorana" via quantum spin coupling

The "Poor Man's Majorana" [Phys. Rev. B 86, 134528 (2012)] devoid of topological protection has been theoretically predicted to rely on the minimal Kitaev chain. Afterward, a pair of superconducting and spinless quantum dots turned the proposal practicable and differential conductance pinpointed consistent fingerprints with such a scenario [Nature 614, 445 (2023) and Nature 630, 329 (2024)]. In this work, we propose a model wherein the "Poor Man's Majorana" presents protection when one of the dots is exchange coupled to a quantum spin. If this quantum dot is perturbed by tuning the exchange coupling, the well-known spill over-like behavior of this Majorana surprisingly remains unchanged, and solely half of the fine structure is unexpectedly viewed. As a matter of fact, the "Poor Man's Majorana" zero mode consists in squeezing of the other half at zero frequency, which imposes its pinning there and prevents the mixing of the mode with the explicit fine structure. We claim that if the supposed unavoidable split of the zero mode by the fine structure is unexpectedly absent, then the "Poor Man's Majorana" can be considered robust against the quantum spin. In this way, it becomes protected and the lack of topological protection paradigm of the "Poor Man's Majorana" has been revisited, pushing this seemingly well-established issue into a new direction.

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arXiv2023

Fractionalization of Majorana-Ising-type quasiparticles

We theoretically investigate the spectral properties of a quantum impurity (QI) hosting the here proposed {Majorana-Ising-type quasiparticle (MIQ) excitation}. It arises from the coupling between a finite topological superconductor (TSC) based on a chain of magnetic adatoms-superconducting hybrid system and an integer large spin $S$ flanking the QI. Noteworthy, the spin $S$ couples to the QI via the Ising-type exchange interaction. As the Majorana zero-modes (MZMs) at the edges of the TSC chain are overlapped, we counterintuitively find a regime wherein the Ising term modulates the localization of a fractionalized and resonant MZM at the QI site. Interestingly enough, the fermionic nature of this state is revealed as purely of electron tunneling-type and most astonishingly, it has the Andreev conductance completely null in its birth. Therefore, we find that a resonant edge state appears as a zero-mode and discuss it in terms of a poor man's Majorana[Nature 614, 445 (2023)].

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arXiv2023

Spin-Polarized Majorana Zero Modes in Proximitized Superconducting Penta-Silicene Nanoribbons

We theoretically investigate the possibility of obtaining Majorana zero modes (MZMs) in penta-silicene nanoribbons (p-SiNRs) with induced \textit{p}-wave superconductivity. The model explicitly considers an external magnetic field perpendicularly applied to the nanoribbon plane, as well as an extrinsic Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC), in addition to the first nearest neighbor hopping term and \textit{p}-wave superconducting pairing. By analyzing the dispersion relation profiles, we observe the successive closing and reopening of the induced superconducting gap with a single spin component, indicating a spin-polarized topological phase transition (TPT). Correspondingly, the plots of the energy spectrum versus the chemical potential reveal the existence of zero-energy states with a preferential spin orientation characterized by nonoverlapping wave functions localized at opposite ends of the superconducting p-SiNRs. These findings strongly suggest the emergence of topologically protected, spin-polarized MZMs at the ends of the p-SiNRs with induced \textit{p}-wave superconducting pairing, which can be realized by proximitizing the nanoribbon with an \textit{s}-wave superconductor, such as lead. The proposal paves the way for silicene-based Majorana devices hosting multiple MZMs with a well-defined spin orientation, with possible applications in fault-tolerant quantum computing platforms and Majorana spintronics.

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arXiv2023

Reshaping the Jaynes-Cummings ladder with Majorana bound states

We study the optical properties of a hybrid device composed by a quantum dot (QD) resonantly coupled to a photonic mode of an optical microcavity and a Majorana nanowire: a topological superconducting segment hosting Majorana bound states (MBSs) at the opposite ends. In the regime of strong light-matter coupling, it is demonstrated that the leakage of the Majorana mode into the QD opens new optical transitions between polaritonic states formed due to hybridisation of material excitation with cavity photons, which leads to the reshaping of the Jaynes-Cummings ladder and can lead to the formation of a robust single-peak at cavity eigenfrequency in the emission spectrum. Moreover, weak satellite peaks in the low and high frequency regions are revealed for the distinct cases of highly isolated MBSs, overlapped MBSs and MBSs not well localized at the nanowire ends.

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arXiv2022

Topological charge Fano effect in multi-Weyl semimetals

We theoretically analyze the Fano interference in a single impurity multi-Weyl semimetal hybrid system and show the emergence of the topological charge Fano effect in the bulk local density of states. In multi-Weyl semimetals, the number of Fermi arcs at the system boundaries is determined by the topological charge $J$, a direct consequence of the "bulk-boundary" correspondence principle. Analogously, we find that $J$ also modulates the bulk Fano profile of the system with an embedded quantum impurity. Thus, by increasing $J$, the Fano lineshape evolves from resonant, typical for $J=1$ (single Weyl), towards antiresonant, extrapolating to the so-called hyper Weyl semimetals with $J\gg1$. Specially for the maximum case protected by the rotational symmetry $C_{2J=6}$, namely the $J=3$ (triple Weyl), which acquires asymmetric Fano profile, the Fano parameter absolute value is predicted to be $\tan(C_{2J=6})$, where $C_{2J}\equiv(360^{\circ}/2J)$ defines the rotational angle. Hence, the Fano discretization in the $J$ term introduces the topological charge Fano effect in multi-Weyl semimetals. We also suggest a transport device where we expect that the proposed Fano effect could be detected.

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arXiv2022

Accessing the degree of Majorana nonlocality in a quantum dot-optical microcavity system

We explore the tunneling transport properties of a quantum dot embedded in an optical microcavity and coupled to a semiconductor-superconductor one-dimensional nanowire (Majorana nanowire) hosting Majorana zero modes (MZMs) at their edges. Conductance profiles reveal that strong light-matter coupling can be employed to distinguish between the cases of highly nonlocal MZMs, overlapped MZMs and MZMs with less degree of nonlocal feature. Moreover, we show that it is possible to access the degree of Majorana nonlocality (topological quality factor) by changing the dot spectrum through photon-induced transitions tuned by an external pump applied to the microcavity.

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arXiv2021

Spin-polarized Majorana zero-modes in double zigzag honeycomb nanoribbons

We study the emergence of Majorana zero modes (MZMs) at the ends of a finite double zigzag honeycomb nanoribbon (zHNR). We show that a double zHNR geometry can host spin-polarized MZMs at its ends. We considered a minimal model composed by first nearest neighbor hopping, Rashba spin-orbit coupling (RSOC), p-wave superconducting pairing, and an applied external magnetic field (EMF). The energy spectrum regions with either spin up or down MZMs belong to distinct topological phase transitions characterized by their corresponding winding numbers and can be accessed by tunning the chemical potential of the nanoribbons. Hybrid systems constituted by zHNRs deposited on conventional s-wave superconductors are potential candidates for experimentally realizing the proposal. The spin's discrimination of MZMs suggests a possible route for performing topological-conventional qubit operations using Majorana spintronics.

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arXiv2020

Atomic frustrated impurity states in Weyl metals

We theoretically analyze the effect of the inversion symmetry breaking on the structure of the impurity molecular states in Weyl metals. We show that for the case of a highly noncentrosymmetric Weyl metallic host, the standard picture of the alternating bonding and antibonding orbitals breaks down, and a qualitatively different frustrated atomic state emerges. This is a consequence of the pseudogap closing and related delicate Fano interplay between intra- and inter-impurity scattering channels.

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arXiv2020

Majorana molecules and their spectral fingerprints

We introduce the concept of a Majorana molecule, a topological bound state appearing in the geometry of a double quantum dot (QD) structure flanking a topological superconducting nanowire. We demonstrate that, if the Majorana bound states (MBSs) at opposite edges are probed nonlocally in a two probe experiment, the spectral density of the system reveals the so-called half-bowtie profiles, while Andreev bound states (ABSs) become resolved into bonding and antibonding molecular configurations. We reveal that this effect is due to the Fano interference between pseudospin superconducting pairing channels and propose that it can be catched by a pseudospin resolved Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM)-tip.

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arXiv2020

Interaction induced hybridization of Majorana zero-modes in a coupled quantum-dot hybrid-nanowire system

We study the low-energy transport properties of a hybrid device composed by a native quantum dot coupled to both ends of a topological superconducting nanowire section hosting Majorana zero-modes. The account of the coupling between the dot and the farthest Majorana zero-mode allows to introduce the topological quality factor, characterizing the level of topological protection in the system. We demonstrate that Coulomb interaction between the dot and the topological superconducting section leads to the onset of the additional overlap of the wavefunctions describing the Majorana zero-modes, leading to the formation of trivial Andreev bound states even for spatially well-separated Majoranas. This leads to the spoiling of the quality factor and introduces a constraint for the braiding process required to perform topological quantum computing operations.

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arXiv2020

Topological isoconductance signatures in Majorana nanowires

We consider transport properties of a hybrid device composed by a quantum dot placed between normal and superconducting reservoirs, and coupled to a Majorana nanowire: a topological superconducting segment hosting Majorana zero-modes at the opposite ends. It is demonstrated that if topologically protected (nonoverlapping) Majorana zero-modes are formed in the system, zero-bias Andreev conductance through the dot exhibits isoconductance profiles with the shape depending on the spin asymmetry of the coupling between a dot and a topological superconductor. Otherwise, for the topologically trivial situation corresponding to the formation of Andreev bound states, the conductance is insensitive to the spin polarization and the isoconductance signatures disappear. This allows to propose an experimental protocol for distinguishing between isolated Majorana zero-modes and Andreev bound states.

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arXiv2019

Spin-dependent zero-bias peak in a hybrid nanowire-quantum dot system: Distinguishing isolated Majorana fermions from Andreev bound states

Hybrid system composed by a semiconducting nanowire with proximity-induced superconductivity and a quantum dot at the end working as spectrometer was recently used to quantify the so-called degree of Majorana nonlocality [Deng et al., Phys.Rev.B, 98, 085125 (2018)]. Here we demonstrate that spin-resolved density of states of the dot responsible for zero-bias conductance peak strongly depends on the separation between the Majorana bound states (MBSs) and their relative couplings with the dot and investigate how the charging energy affects the spectrum of the system in the distinct scenarios of Majorana nonlocality (topological quality). Our findings suggest that spin-resolved spectroscopy of the local density of states of the dot can be used as a powerful tool for discriminating between different scenarios of the emergence of zero-bias conductance peak.

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arXiv2018

Majorana oscillations modulated by Fano interference and dregree of non-locality in a topological superconducting nanowire-quantum dot system

We explore theoretically the influence of Fano interference in the so-called Majorana oscillations in a T-shaped hybrid setup formed by a quantum dot (QD) placed between conducting leads and side-coupled to a topological superconducting nanowire (TSNW) hosting zero-energy Majorana bound states (MBSs) at the ends. Differential conductance as a function of the external magnetic field reveals oscillatory behavior. Both the shape and amplitude of the oscillations depend on the bias-voltage, degree of MBSs non-locality and Fano parameter of the system determining the regime of interference. When the latter is such that direct lead-lead path dominates over lead-QD-lead path and the bias is tuned in resonance with QD zero-energy, pronounced fractional Fano-like resonances are observed around zero-bias for highly non-local geometries. Further, the conductance profiles as a function of both bias-voltage and QD energy level display "bowtie" and "diamond" shapes, in qualitative agreement with both previous theoretical and experimental works. These findings ensure that our proposal can be used to estimate the degree of MBS non-locality, thus allowing to investigate their topological properties.

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arXiv2018

Tuning of heat and charge transport by Majorana fermions

We investigate theoretically thermal and electrical conductances for the system consisting of a quantum dot (QD) connected both to a pair of Majorana fermions residing the edges of a Kitaev wire and two metallic leads. We demonstrate that both quantities reveal pronounced resonances, whose positions can be controlled by tuning of an asymmetry of the couplings of the QD and a pair of MFs. Similar behavior is revealed for the thermopower, Wiedemann-Franz law and dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit. The considered geometry can thus be used as a tuner of heat and charge transport assisted by MFs.

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arXiv2017

Antibonding Ground state of Adatom Molecules in Bulk Dirac Semimetals

The ground state of the diatomic molecules in nature is inevitably bonding, and its first excited state is antibonding. We demonstrate theoretically that, for a pair of distant adatoms placed buried in three-dimensional-Dirac semimetals, this natural order of the states can be reversed and an antibonding ground state occurs at the lowest energy of the so-called bound states in the continuum. We propose an experimental protocol with the use of a scanning tunneling microscope tip to visualize the topographic map of the local density of states on the surface of the system to reveal the emerging physics.

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