arXiv subjects

Sergej Flach

Publications and source records attributed to Sergej Flach.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2019

Taming two interacting particles with disorder

We compute the scaling properties of the localization length $ξ_2$ of two interacting particles in a one-dimensional chain with diagonal disorder, and the connectivity properties of the Fock states. We analyze record large system sizes (up to $N=20000$) and disorder strengths (down to $W=0.5$). We vary the energy $E$ and the on-site interaction strength $u$. At a given disorder strength the largest enhancement of $ξ_2$ occurs for $u$ of the order of the single particle band width, and for two-particle states with energies at the center of the spectrum, $E=0$. We observe a crossover in the scaling of $ξ_2$ with the single particle localization length $ξ_1$ into the asymptotic regime for $ξ_1 > 100$ ($W < 1.0$). This happens due to the recovery of translational invariance and momentum conservation rules in the matrix elements of interconnected Fock eigenstates for $u=0$. The entrance into the asymptotic scaling is manifested through a nonlinear scaling function $ξ_2/ξ_1=F(uξ_1)$.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2019

Floquet Anderson Localization of Two Interacting Discrete Time Quantum Walks

We study the interplay of two interacting discrete time quantum walks in the presence of disorder. Each walk is described by a Floquet unitary map defined on a chain of two-level systems. Strong disorder induces a novel Anderson localization phase with a gapless Floquet spectrum and one unique localization length $ξ_1$ for all eigenstates for noninteracting walks. We add a local contact interaction which is parametrized by a phase shift $γ$. A wave packet is spreading subdiffusively beyond the bounds set by $ξ_1$ and saturates at a new length scale $ξ_2 \gg ξ_1$. In particular we find $ξ_2 \sim ξ_1^{1.2}$ for $γ=π$. We observe a nontrivial dependence of $ξ_2$ on $γ$, with a maximum value observed for $γ$-values which are shifted away from the expected strongest interaction case $γ=π$. The novel Anderson localization regime violates single parameter scaling for both interacting and noninteracting walks.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2019

Dynamical glass in weakly non-integrable Klein-Gordon chains

Integrable many-body systems are characterized by a complete set of preserved actions. Close to an integrable limit, a {\it nonintegrable} perturbation creates a coupling network in action space which can be short- or long-ranged. We analyze the dynamics of observables which turn into the conserved actions in the integrable limit. We compute distributions of their finite-time averages and obtain the ergodization time scale $T_E$ on which these distributions converge to $δ$-distributions. We relate $T_E \sim (σ_τ^+)^2/μ_τ^+$ to the statistics of fluctuation times of the observables, which acquire fat-tailed distributions with standard deviations $σ_τ^+$ dominating the means $μ_τ^+$. The Lyapunov time $T_Λ$ (the inverse of the largest Lyapunov exponent) is then compared to the above time scales. We use a simple Klein-Gordon chain to emulate long- and short-range coupling networks by tuning its energy density. For long-range coupling networks $T_Λ\approx σ_τ^+$, which indicates that the Lyapunov time sets the ergodization time, with chaos quickly diffusing through the coupling network. For short-range coupling networks we observe a {\it dynamical glass}, where $T_E$ grows dramatically by many orders of magnitude and greatly exceeds the Lyapunov time, which $T_Λ \lesssim μ_τ^+$. This is due to the formation of a highly fragmented inhomogeneous distributions of chaotic groups of actions, separated by growing volumes of non-chaotic regions. These structures persist up to the ergodization time $T_E$.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2019

Universal $d=1$ flatband generator from compact localized states

The band structure of some translationally invariant lattice Hamiltonians contains strictly dispersionless flatbands(FB). These are induced by destructive interference, and typically host compact localized eigenstates (CLS) which occupy a finite number $U$ of unit cells. FBs are important due to macroscopic degeneracy and consequently due to their high sensitivity and strong response to different types of weak perturbations. We use a recently introduced classification of FB networks based on CLS properties, and extend the FB Hamiltonian generator introduced in Phys. Rev. B 95, 115135 (2017) to an arbitrary number $ν$ of bands in the band structure, and arbitrary size $U$ of a CLS. The FB Hamiltonian is a solution to equations that we identify with an inverse eigenvalue problem. These can be solved only numerically in general. By imposing additional constraints, e.g. a chiral symmetry, we are able to find analytical solutions to the inverse eigenvalue problem.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Dynamical Glass and Ergodization Times in Classical Josephson Junction Chains

Models of classical Josephson junction chains turn integrable in the limit of large energy densities or small Josephson energies. Close to these limits the Josephson coupling between the superconducting grains induces a short range nonintegrable network. We compute distributions of finite time averages of grain charges and extract the ergodization time $T_E$ which controls their convergence to ergodic $δ$-distributions. We relate $T_E$ to the statistics of fluctuation times of the charges, which are dominated by fat tails. $T_E$ is growing anomalously fast upon approaching the integrable limit, as compared to the Lyapunov time $T_Λ$ - the inverse of the largest Lyapunov exponent - reaching astonishing ratios $T_E/T_Λ \geq 10^8$. The microscopic reason for the observed dynamical glass is routed in a growing number of grains evolving over long times in a regular almost integrable fashion due to the low probability of resonant interactions with the nearest neighbors. We conjecture that the observed dynamical glass is a generic property of Josephson junction networks irrespective of their space dimensionality.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2018

Unconventional Flatband Line States in Photonic Lieb Lattices

Flatband systems typically host "compact localized states"(CLS) due to destructive interference and macroscopic degeneracy of Bloch wave functions associated with a dispersionless energy band. Using a photonic Lieb lattice(LL), we show that conventional localized flatband states are inherently incomplete, with the missing modes manifested as extended line states which form non-contractible loops winding around the entire lattice. Experimentally, we develop a continuous-wave laser writing technique to establish a finite-sized photonic LL with specially-tailored boundaries, thereby directly observe the unusually extended flatband line states.Such unconventional line states cannot be expressed as a linear combination of the previously observed CLS but rather arise from the nontrivial real-space topology.The robustness of the line states to imperfect excitation conditions is discussed, and their potential applications are illustrated.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Universal Nonlinear Disordered Wave Packet Subdiffusion: 12 Decades

We use a novel unitary map toolbox -- discrete time quantum walks originally designed for quantum computing -- to implement ultrafast computer simulations of extremely slow dynamics in a nonlinear and disordered medium. Previous reports on wave packet spreading in Gross-Pitaevskii lattices observed subdiffusion with the second moment $m_2 \sim t^{1/3}$ (with time in units of a characteristic scale $t_0$) up to the largest computed times of the order of $10^8$. A fundamental question remained as to whether this process can continue ad infinitum, or has to slow down. Current experimental devices are not capable to even reach 1\textpertenthousand ~of the reported computational horizons. With our toolbox, we outperform previous computational results and observe that the universal subdiffusion persists over additional four decades reaching 'astronomic' times $2\cdot 10^{12}$. Such a dramatic extension of previous computational horizons suggests that subdiffusion is universal, and that the toolbox can be efficiently used to assess other hard computational many-body problems.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2018

Artificial flat band systems: from lattice models to experiments

Certain lattice wave systems in translationally invariant settings have one or more spectral bands that are strictly flat or independent of momentum in the tight binding approximation, arising from either internal symmetries or fine-tuned coupling. These flat bands display remarkable strongly-interacting phases of matter. Originally considered as a theoretical convenience useful for obtaining exact analytical solutions of ferromagnetism, flat bands have now been observed in a variety of settings, ranging from electronic systems to ultracold atomic gases and photonic devices. Here we review the design and implementation of flat bands and chart future directions of this exciting field.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2018

Weakly nonergodic dynamics in the Gross--Pitaevskii lattice

The microcanonical Gross--Pitaevskii (aka semiclassical Bose-Hubbard) lattice model dynamics is characterized by a pair of energy and norm densities. The grand canonical Gibbs distribution fails to describe a part of the density space, due to the boundedness of its kinetic energy spectrum. We define Poincare equilibrium manifolds and compute the statistics of microcanonical excursion times off them. The tails of the distribution functions quantify the proximity of the many-body dynamics to a weakly-nonergodic phase, which occurs when the average excursion time is infinite. We find that a crossover to weakly-nonergodic dynamics takes place inside the nonGibbs phase, being unnoticed by the largest Lyapunov exponent. In the ergodic part of the non-Gibbs phase, the Gibbs distribution should be replaced by an unknown modified one. We relate our findings to the corresponding integrable limit, close to which the actions are interacting through a short range coupling network.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2018

Fano Resonances in Flat Band Networks

Linear wave equations on Hamiltonian lattices with translational invariance are characterized by an eigenvalue band structure in reciprocal space. Flat band lattices have at least one of the bands completely dispersionless. Such bands are coined flat bands. Flat bands occur in fine-tuned networks, and can be protected by (e.g. chiral) symmetries. Recently a number of such systems were realized in structured optical systems, exciton-polariton condensates, and ultracold atomic gases. Flat band networks support compact localized modes. Local defects couple these compact modes to dispersive states and generate Fano resonances in the wave propagation. Disorder (i.e. a finite density of defects) leads to a dense set of Fano defects, and to novel scaling laws in the localization length of disordered dispersive states. Nonlinearities can preserve the compactness of flat band modes, along with renormalizing (tuning) their frequencies. These strictly compact nonlinear excitations induce tunable Fano resonances in the wave propagation of a nonlinear flat band lattice.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2017

Flat bands in lattices with non-Hermitian coupling

We study non-Hermitian photonic lattices that exhibit competition between conservative and non-Hermitian (gain/loss) couplings. A bipartite sublattice symmetry enforces the existence of non-Hermitian flat bands, which are typically embedded in an auxiliary dispersive band and give rise to non-diffracting "compact localized states". Band crossings take the form of non-Hermitian degeneracies known as exceptional points. Excitations of the lattice can produce either diffracting or amplifying behaviors. If the non-Hermitian coupling is fine-tuned to generate an effective $π$ flux, the lattice spectrum becomes completely flat, a non-Hermitian analogue of Aharonov-Bohm caging in which the magnetic field is replaced by balanced gain and loss. When the effective flux is zero, the non-Hermitian band crossing points give rise to asymmetric diffraction and anomalous linear amplification.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2017

Analyzing Chaos in Higher Order Disordered Quartic-Sextic Klein-Gordon Lattices Using $q$-Statistics

In the study of subdiffusive wave-packet spreading in disordered Klein-Gordon (KG) nonlinear lattices, a central open question is whether the motion continues to be chaotic despite decreasing densities, or tends to become quasi-periodic as nonlinear terms become negligible. In a recent study of such KG particle chains with quartic (4th order) anharmonicity in the on-site potential, it was shown that $q-$Gaussian probability distribution functions of sums of position observables with $q > 1$ always approach pure Gaussians ($q=1$) in the long time limit and hence the motion of the full system is ultimately "strongly chaotic". In the present paper, we show that these results continue to hold even when a sextic (6th order) term is gradually added to the potential and ultimately prevails over the 4th order anharmonicity, despite expectations that the dynamics is more "regular", at least in the regime of small oscillations. Analyzing this system in the subdiffusive energy domain using $q$-statistics, we demonstrate that groups of oscillators centered around the initially excited one (as well as the full chain) possess strongly chaotic dynamics and are thus far from any quasi-periodic torus, for times as long as $t=10^9$.

nlin.CD↗

arXiv2017

Topological flat Wannier-Stark bands

We analyze the spectrum and eigenstates of a quantum particle in a bipartite two-dimensional tight-binding dice network with short range hopping under the action of a dc bias. We find that the energy spectrum consists of a periodic repetition of one-dimensional energy band multiplets, with one member in the multiplet being strictly flat. The corresponding macroscopic degeneracy invokes eigenstates localized exponentially perpendicular to the dc field direction, and super-exponentially along the dc field direction. We also show that the band multiplet is characterized by a topological winding number (Zak phase), which changes abruptly if we vary the dc field strength. These changes are induced by gap closings between the flat and dispersive bands, and reflect the number of these closings.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Stability Through Asymmetry: Modulationally Stable Nonlinear Supermodes of Asymmetric non-Hermitian Optical Couplers

We analyze the stability of a non-Hermitian coupler with respect to modulational inhomogeneous perturbations in the presence of unbalanced gain and loss. At the parity-time (PT) symmetry point the coupler is unstable. Suitable symmetry breakings lead to an asymmetric coupler, which hosts nonlinear supermodes. A subset of those broken symmetry cases finally yields nonlinear supermodes which are stable against modulational perturbations. The lack of symmetry requirements will facilitate experimental implementations and relevant photonics applications.

nlin.PS↗

arXiv2017

Chiral Flat Bands: Existence, Engineering and Stability

We study flat bands in bipartite tight-binding networks with discrete translational invariance. Chiral flat bands with chiral symmetry eigenenergy E = 0 and host compact localized eigenstates for finite range hopping. For a bipartite network with a majority sublattice chiral flat bands emerge. We present a simple generating principle of chiral flat band networks and as a showcase add to the previously observed cases a number of new potentially realizable chiral flat bands in various lattice dimensions. Chiral symmetry respecting network perturbations - including disorder and synthetic magnetic fields - preserve both the flatband and the modified compact localized states. Chiral flatbands are spectrally protected by gaps, and pseudogaps in the presence of disorder due to Griffiths effects.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Localization of weakly disordered flat band states

Certain tight binding lattices host macroscopically degenerate flat spectral bands. Their origin is rooted in local symmetries of the lattice, with destructive interference leading to the existence of compact localized eigenstates. We study the robustness of this localization to disorder in different classes of flat band lattices in one and two dimensions. Depending on the flat band class, the flat band states can either be robust, preserving their strong localization for weak disorder W, or they are destroyed and acquire large localization lengths $ξ$ that diverge with a variety of unconventional exponents $ν$, $ξ\sim 1/W^ν$.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2016

Compact localized states and flatband generators in one dimension

Flat bands (FB) are strictly dispersionless bands in the Bloch spectrum of a periodic lattice Hamiltonian, recently observed in a variety of photonic and dissipative condensate networks. FB Hamiltonians are finetuned networks, still lacking a comprehensive generating principle. We introduce a FB generator based on local network properties. We classify FB networks through the properties of compact localized states (CLS) which are exact FB eigenstates and occupy $U$ unit cells. We obtain the complete two-parameter FB family of two-band $d=1$ networks with nearest unit cell interaction and $U=2$. We discover a novel high symmetry sawtooth chain with identical hoppings in a transverse dc field, easily accessible in experiments. Our results pave the way towards a complete description of FBs in networks with more bands and in higher dimensions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2016

Interacting ultracold atomic kicked rotors: dynamical localization ?

We study the fate of dynamical localization of two quantum kicked rotors with contact interaction. This interaction mimics experimental realizations with ultracold atomic gases. Dynamical localization for a single rotor takes place in momentum space. The contact interaction affects the evolution of the relative momentum $k$ of a pair of interacting rotors in a non-analytic way. Consequently the evolution operator $U$ is exciting large relative momenta with amplitudes which decay only as a power law $1/k^4$. This is in contrast to the center-of-mass momentum $K$ for which the amplitudes excited by $U$ decay superexponentially fast. Therefore dynamical localization is preserved for the center-of-mass momentum, but destroyed for the relative momentum for any nonzero strength of interaction.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗