arXiv subjects

Mónica Pacheco

Publications and source records attributed to Mónica Pacheco.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Two-dimensional orbital-obstructed insulators with higher-order band topology

Obstructed atomic phases, with their realizations in systems of diverse dimensionality, have recently arisen as one of the topological states with greatest potential to show higher-order phenomena. In this work we report a special type of obstruction, known as orbital-mediated atomic obstruction, in monolayers of materials with spatial symmetry described by the space group $P$-$3m1$. By means of a minimal tight-binding model and first-principles calculations, we show that this obstructed phase is related to the mismatch of the charge centers coming from the atomic limit with respect to the centers that are obtained from a reciprocal space description. Although we find atomic limits that correspond with occupied atomic sites, orbital-mediated atomic obstruction requires the presence of orbitals that have no support in real space. In order to demonstrate the nontrivial character of the obstruction, we confirm the presence of a filling anomaly for finite geometries that is directly associated with the bulk configuration, and discuss the role of the boundary states and their underlying mechanism. Several material examples are presented to illustrate the ubiquity of these nontrivial responses and, in turn, to discuss the differences related to the particular ground state configuration. In addition, we perform a survey of materials and elaborate a list of candidate systems which will host this obstructed phase in monolayer form.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Fractional corner charges in threefold-symmetric two-dimensional materials with fragile topology

We perform a systematic study of the signatures of fragile topology in over 50 nonmagnetic two-dimensional materials with formula AB$_2$, belonging to space group $P$-$3m1$. Using group theory analysis in the framework of topological quantum chemistry, we find fragile bands near the Fermi level for all the materials studied. Since stable topological bands are also present in these systems, the interplay of both phases is discussed, showing that corner charges appear in over 80% of the materials and are linked to fragile topology. Using first-principles calculations, we predict fractionally-charged corner charges protected by $C_3$ symmetry. Our work aims to broaden the scope of materials with experimentally accessible fragile bands.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Equivalence between a topological and non-topological quantum dot - hybrid structures

In this work, we demonstrate an equivalence on the single-electron transport properties between systems of different nature, a topological quantum system and a (conventional) non-topological one. Our results predicts that the Fano resonances obtained in a T-shaped double quantum dot system coupled to two normal leads and one superconducting lead (QD-QD-S) are identical to the obtained in a ring system composed of a quantum dot coupled to two Majorana bound states confined at the ends of a one dimensional topological superconductor nanowire (QD-MBSs). We show that the non-zero value of the Fano (anti)resonance in the conductance of the QD-MBSs systems is due to a complex Fano factor qM , which is identical to the complex Fano factor qS of the QD-QD-S. The complex nature of qS can be understood as a sign of a phase introduced by the superconducting lead in the QD-QD-S. It is because of this phase that the equivalence between the QD-QD-S and the QD-MBSs is possible. We believe that our results can motivate further theoretical and experimental works toward the understanding of transport properties of topological quantum hybrid structures from conventional non-topological quantum systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2013

Electronic transport of folded graphene nanoribbons

We investigate the electronic transport properties of a folded graphene nanoribbon with monolayer nanoribbon contacts. We consider two possible foldings: either the nanoribbon can be folded onto itself in the shape of a hairpin with the nanoribbon leads at a $0^\circ$ angle, or the monolayer contacts have different directions, forming a $60^\circ$ angle. The system is described by a single $π$-band nearest-neighbor tight-binding Hamiltonian taking into account curvature effects. We have found that for the case of a nanoribbon folded over itself the conductance oscillates from almost zero and a finite value depending on the coupling between contacts, whereas in the $60^\circ$ angle folding the conductance is only slightly perturbed, allowing for the connection of graphene nanoelectronic components in a variety of geometries.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗