arXiv subjects

Nancy Sandler

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy Sandler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Spin Qubits in Photon-Coupled Microwave Cavities

Electron spin qubits in microwave cavities provide a promising platform for scalable quantum computing hardware, leveraging long coherence times, charge-noise robustness and cavity mediated qubit-qubit interactions. While the strong spin-photon coupling regime is accessible via on-chip micromagnets, scaling conventional architectures by placing multiple qubits within a single shared resonator degrades transmission amplitudes, hence limiting large-scale efficiency. To overcome this limitation, we analyze a modular architecture where individual cavities containing a limited number of qubits are coupled via single-photon-exchange waveguides. Using input/output theory, we compute the transmission amplitudes for networks of two and three coupled cavities in various configurations. We map out the distinct physical regimes accessible by tuning key system parameters, offering a viable pathway for scalable cavity-based quantum spin qubit networks.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2026

Propagating edge and interfacial states in corrugated graphene: Robustness and configurability

Periodically strained graphene on patterned substrates provides a versatile route to realizing moir\'e-like electronic structures through strain engineering. Here, we show that the interplay between a strain-induced pseudomagnetic field and a displacement-field-controlled scalar potential enables the formation of isolated narrow bands and multiple energy gaps near charge neutrality and at higher energies. Some of the low-energy bands exhibit nontrivial topology, carrying valley-opposite Chern numbers. Remarkably, despite a vanishing total Chern number, propagating in-gap edge states emerge in a wide range of nanoribbon geometries that preserve valley symmetry. We elucidate the distinct mechanisms responsible for edge states in the zero-energy and higher-energy gaps and demonstrate that they remain robust against variations in superlattice termination and moderate disorder, despite lacking conventional topological protection. Leveraging these properties, we propose device architectures in which an externally applied staggered potential electrically switches the zero-energy gap and its associated edge channels on and off. Furthermore, split-gate geometries generate topologically protected interfacial states that coexist with the edge modes and can be spatially reconfigured by gate voltages. These results establish strain superlattices as a powerful platform for engineering topological electronic states and electronic transport in graphene.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Topological flat bands in strained graphene: substrate engineering and optical control

The discovery of correlated phases in twisted moir\'e superlattices accelerated the search for low-dimensional materials with exotic properties. A promising approach uses engineered substrates to strain the material. However, designing substrates for tailored properties is hindered by the incomplete understanding of the relationship between substrate's shapes and electronic properties of the deposited materials. By analyzing effective models of graphene under periodic deformations with generic crystalline profiles, we identify strong $C_{2z}$ symmetry breaking as the critical substrate geometric feature for emerging energy gaps and quasi-flat bands. We find continuous strain profiles producing connected pseudo-magnetic field landscapes are important for band topology. We show that the resultant electronic and topological properties from a substrate can be controlled with circularly polarized light, which also offers unique signatures for identifying the band topology imprinted by strain. Our results can guide experiments on strain engineering for exploring interesting transport and topological phenomena.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Near zero-energy Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon vortex states in the presence of impurities

Caroli-de Gennes-Matricon (CdGM) states are localized states with a discrete energy spectrum bound to the core of vortices in superconductors. In topological superconductors, CdGM states are predicted to coexist with zero-energy, chargeless states widely known as Majorana zero modes (MZMs). Due to their energy difference, current experiments rely on scanning tunneling spectroscopy methods to distinguish between them. This work shows that electrostatic inhomogeneities can push trivial CdGM states arbitrarily close to zero energy in non-topological systems where no MZM is present. Furthermore, the BCS charge of CdGM states is suppressed under the same mechanism. Through exploration of the impurity parameter space, we establish that these two phenomena generally happen in consonance. Our results show that energy and charge shifts in CdGM may be enough to imitate the spectroscopic signatures of MZMs even in cases where the estimated CdGM level spacing (in the absence of impurities) is much larger than the typical experimental level broadening.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2020

Emergence of strain-induced moir\'e patterns and pseudo-magnetic field confined states in graphene

Strain-inducing deformations in graphene alter charge distributions and provide a new method to design specific features in the band structure and transport properties. Novel approaches implement engineered substrates to induce specifically targeted strain profiles. Motivated by this technique, we study the evolution of charge distributions with an increasing number of out-of-plane deformations as an example of a finite size periodic substrate. We first analyze a system of two overlapping deformations and determine the quantitative relation between geometrical parameters and features in the local density of states. We extend the study to sets of 3 and 4 deformations in linear and two-dimensional arrays and observe the emergence of moir\'e patterns that are more pronounced for a hexagonal cell composed of 7 deformations. A comparison between the induced strain profile and spatial maps of the local density of states at different energies provides evidence for the existence of states confined by the pseudo-magnetic field in bounded regions, reminiscent of quantum dots structures. Due to the presence of these states, the energy level scaling to be observed by local probes should exhibit a linear dependence with the pseudo-field, in contrast to the expected scaling of pseudo-Landau levels.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Electron dynamics in strained graphene

The paper presents a theoretical description of the effects of strain induced by out-of-plane deformations on charge distributions and transport on graphene. A review of a continuum model for electrons using the Dirac formalism is complemented with elasticity theory to represent strain fields. The resulting model is cast in terms of scalar and pseudo-magnetic fields that control electron dynamics. Two distinct geometries, a bubble, and a fold are chosen to represent the most commonly observed deformations in experimental settings. It is shown that local charge accumulation regions appear in deformed areas, with a peculiar charge distribution that favors the occupation of one sublattice only. This unique phenomenon that allows distinguishing each carbon atom in the unit cell, is the manifestation of a sublattice symmetry broken phase. For specific parameters, resonant states appear in localized charged regions, as shown by the emergence of discrete levels in band structure calculations. These findings are presented in terms of intuitive pictures that exploit analogies with confinement produced by square barriers. In addition, electron currents through strained regions are spatially separated into their valley components, making possible the manipulation of electrons with different valley indices. The degree of valley filtering (or polarization) for a specific system can be controlled by properly designing the strained area. The comparison between efficiencies of filters built with this type of geometries identifies extended deformations as better valley filters. A proposal for their experimental implementations as a component of devices and a discussion for potential observation of novel physics in strained structures are presented at the end of the article.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Linking interlayer twist angle to geometrical parameters of self-assembled folded graphene structures

Thin adhesive films can be removed from substrates, torn, and folded in distinct geometries under external driving forces. In two-dimensional materials, however, these processes can be self-driven as shown in previous studies on folded twisted bilayer graphene nanoribbons produced by spontaneous tearing and peeling from a substrate. Here, we use atomic force microscopy techniques to generate and characterize the geometrical structure of naturally self-grown folded nanoribbon structures. Measurements of nanoribbon width and interlayer separation reveal similar twist-angle dependences possibly caused by the anisotropy in the bilayer potential. In addition, analysis of the data shows an unexpected correlation between the height of the folded arc edge -parameterized by a radius R-, and the ribbon width, suggestive of a self-growth process driven by a variable cross-sectional shape. These observations are well described by an energy minimization model that includes the bilayer adhesion energy density as represented by a distance dependent Morse potential. We obtain an analytical expression for the radius R versus the ribbon width that predicts a renormalized bending rigidity and stands in good agreement with experimental observations. The newly found relation between these geometrical parameters suggests a mechanism for tailored growth of folded twisted bilayer graphene -- a platform for many intriguing physics phenomena.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Sublattice symmetry breaking and Kondo-effect enhancement in strained graphene

Kondo physics in doped monolayer graphene is predicted to exhibit unusual features due to the linear vanishing of the pristine material's density of states at the Dirac point. Despite several attempts, conclusive experimental observation of the phenomenon remains elusive. One likely obstacle to identification is a very small Kondo temperature scale $T_K$ in situations where the chemical potential lies near the Dirac point. We propose tailored mechanical deformations of monolayer graphene as a means of revealing unique fingerprints of the Kondo effect. Inhomogeneous strains are known to produce specific alternating changes in the local density of states (LDOS) away from the Dirac point that signal sublattice symmetry breaking effects. Small LDOS changes can be amplified in an exponential increase or decrease of $T_K$ for magnetic impurities attached at different locations. We illustrate this behavior in two deformation geometries: a circular 'bubble' and a long fold, both described by Gaussian displacement profiles. We calculate the LDOS changes for modest strains and analyze the relevant Anderson impurity model describing a magnetic atom adsorbed in either a 'top-site' or a 'hollow-site' configuration. Numerical renormalization-group solutions of the impurity model suggest that higher expected $T_K$ values, combined with distinctive spatial patterns under variation of the point of graphene attachment, make the top-site configuration the more promising for experimental observation of signatures of the Kondo effect. The strong strain sensitivity of $T_K$ may lift top-site Kondo physics into the range experimentally accessible using local probes such as scanning tunneling microscopy.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Local versus extended deformed graphene geometries for valley filtering

The existence of two-inequivalent valleys in the band structure of graphene has motivated the search of mechanisms that allow their separation and control for potential device applications. Among the several schemes proposed in the literature, strain-induced out-of-plane deformations (occurring naturally or intentionally designed in graphene samples), ranks among the best candidates to produce separation of valley currents. Because valley filtering properties in these structures is, however, highly dependent on the type of deformation and setups considered, it is important to identify the relevant factors determining optimal operation and detection of valley currents. In this paper we present a comprehensive comparison of two typical deformations commonly found in graphene samples: local centro-symmetric bubbles and extended folds/wrinkles. Using the Dirac model for graphene and the second-order Born approximation we characterize the scattering properties of the bubble deformation, while numerical transmission matrix methods are used for the fold-like deformations. In both cases, we obtain the dependence of valley polarization on the geometrical parameters of deformations, and discuss their possible experimental realizations. Our study reveals that extended deformations act as better valley filters in broader energy ranges and present more robust features against variations of geometrical parameters and incident current directions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Tuning the pseudospin polarization of graphene by a pseudo-magnetic field

One of the intriguing characteristics of honeycomb lattices is the appearance of a pseudo-magnetic field as a result of mechanical deformation. In the case of graphene, the Landau quantization resulting from this pseudo-magnetic field has been measured using scanning tunneling microscopy. Here we show that a signature of the pseudo-magnetic field is a local sublattice symmetry breaking observable as a redistribution of the local density of states. This can be interpreted as a polarization of graphene's pseudospin due to a strain induced pseudo-magnetic field, in analogy to the alignment of a real spin in a magnetic field. We reveal this sublattice symmetry breaking by tunably straining graphene using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope. The tip locally lifts the graphene membrane from a SiO$_2$ support, as visible by an increased slope of the $I(z)$ curves. The amount of lifting is consistent with molecular dynamics calculations, which reveal a deformed graphene area under the tip in the shape of a Gaussian. The pseudo-magnetic field induced by the deformation becomes visible as a sublattice symmetry breaking which scales with the lifting height of the strained deformation and therefore with the pseudo-magnetic field strength. Its magnitude is quantitatively reproduced by analytic and tight-binding models, revealing fields of 1000 T. These results might be the starting point for an effective THz valley filter, as a basic element of valleytronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Influence of Rashba spin-orbit coupling on the Kondo effect

An Anderson model for a magnetic impurity in a two-dimensional electron gas with bulk Rashba spin-orbit interaction is solved using the numerical renormalization group under two different experimental scenarios. For a fixed Fermi energy, the Kondo temperature T_K varies weakly with Rashba coupling α, as reported previously. If instead the band filling is low and held constant, increasing αcan drive the system into a helical regime with exponential enhancement of T_K. Under either scenario, thermodynamic properties at low temperatures T exhibit the same dependences on T/T_K as are found for α= 0. Unlike the conventional Kondo effect, however, the impurity exhibits static spin correlations with conduction electrons of nonzero orbital angular momentum about the impurity site. We also consider a magnetic field that Zeeman splits the conduction band but not the impurity level, an effective picture that arises under a proposed route to access the helical regime in a driven system. The impurity contribution to the system's ground-state angular momentum is found to be a universal function of the ratio of the Zeeman energy to a temperature scale that is not T_K (as would be the case in a magnetic field that couples directly to the impurity spin), but rather is proportional to T_K divided by the impurity hybridization width. This universal scaling is explained via a perturbative treatment of field-induced changes in the electronic density of states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Hybridization and anisotropy in the exchange interaction in 3D Dirac semimetals

We study the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida interaction in 3D Dirac semimetals. Using retarded Green's functions in real space, we obtain and analyze asymptotic expressions for the interaction, with magnetic impurities at different distances and relative angle with respect to high symmetry directions on the lattice. We show that the Fermi velocity anisotropy in these materials produces a strong renormalization of the magnitude of the interaction, as well as a correction to the frequency of oscillation in real space. Hybridization of the impurities to different conduction electron orbitals are shown to result in interesting anisotropic spin-spin interactions which can generate spiral spin structures in doped samples.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Zero-field and time-reserval-symmetry-broken topological phase transitions in graphene

We propose a quantum electronic device based on strained graphene nanoribbon. Mechanical strain, internal exchange field and spin-orbit couplings (SOCs) have been exploited as principle parameters to tune physical properties of the device. We predict a remarkable zero-field topological quantum phase transition between the time-reversal-symmetry broken quantum spin hall (QSH) and quantum anomalous hall (QAH) states, which was previously thought to take place only in the presence of finite magnetic field. We illustrate as intrinsic SOC is tuned, how two different helicity edge states located in the opposite edges of the nanoribbon exchange their locations. Our results indicates that pseudomagnetic field induced by the strain could be coupled to the spin degrees of freedom through the SOC responsible for the stability of QSH state. The controllability of this zero-field phase transition with strength and direction of the strain is also demonstrated. Our prediction offers a tempting prospect of strain, electric and magnetic manipulation of the QSH effect.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Local sublattice symmetry breaking for graphene with a centro-symmetric deformation

We calculate the local density of states (LDOS) for an infinite graphene sheet with a single centro-symmetric out-of-plane deformation, in order to investigate measurable strain signatures on graphene. We focus on the regime of small deformations and show that the strain-induced pseudo- magnetic field induces an imbalance of the LDOS between the two triangular graphene sublattices in the region of the deformation. Real space imaging reveals a characteristic six-fold symmetry pattern where the sublattice symmetry is broken within each fold, consistent with experimental and tight-binding observations. The open geometry we study allows us to make use of the usual continuum model of graphene and to obtain results independent of boundary conditions. We provide an analytic perturbative expression for the contrast between the LDOS of each sub-lattice, showing a scaling law as a function of the amplitude and width of the deformation. We confirm our results by a numerically exact iterative scattering matrix method.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2014

Kondo effect in graphene with Rashba spin-orbit coupling

We study the Kondo screening of a magnetic impurity adsorbed in graphene in the presence of Rashba spin-orbit interaction. The system is described by an effective single-channel Anderson impurity model, which we analyze using the numerical renormalization group. The nontrivial energy dependence of the host density of states gives rise to interesting behaviors under variation of the chemical potential or the spin-orbit coupling. Varying the Rashba coupling produces strong changes in the Kondo temperature characterizing the many-body screening of the impurity spin, and at half filling allows approach to a quantum phase transition separating the strong-coupling Kondo phase from a free-moment phase. Tuning the chemical potential close to sharp features of the hybridization function results in striking features in the temperature dependences of thermodynamic quantities and in the frequency dependence of the impurity spectral function.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Quantum phase transitions into Kondo states in bilayer graphene

We study a magnetic impurity intercalated in bilayer graphene. A representative configuration generates a hybridization function with strong dependence on the conduction-electron energy, including a full gap with one hard and one soft edge. Shifts of the chemical potential via gating or doping drive the system between non-Kondo (free-moment) and Kondo-screened phases, with strong variation of the Kondo scale. Quantum phase transitions near the soft edge are of Kosterlitz-Thouless type, while others are first order. Near the hard edge, a bound-state singlet appears inside the gap; although of single-particle character, its signatures in scanning tunneling spectroscopy are very similar to those arising from a many-body Kondo resonance.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Anticorrelations from power-law spectral disorder and conditions for an Anderson transition

We resolve an apparent contradiction between numeric and analytic results for one-dimensional disordered systems with power-law spectral correlations. The conflict arises when considering rigorous results that constrain the set of correlation functions yielding metallic states to those with non-zero values in the thermodynamic limit. By analyzing the scaling law for a model correlated disorder that produces a mobility edge, we show that no contradiction exists as the correlation function exhibits strong anticorrelations in the thermodynamic limit. Moreover, the associated scaling function reveals a size-dependent correlation with a smoothening of disorder amplitudes as the system size increases.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2012

Single parameter scaling of one-dimensional systems with real-space long-range correlated disorder

Advances in material growth methods have renewed the interest in localization of one-dimensional systems in the presence of scale-free long-range correlated disorder potentials. We analyze the validity of single parameter scaling for the β-function away from the band center, in the presence of correlations. A renormalized disorder strength emerges reducing the regime of validity of the single parameter scaling hypothesis. Analysis of localization lengths and participation ratios leads to correlation dependent critical and fractal exponents, consistent with the extended Harris criterion.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗