arXiv subjects

Terry A. Loring

Publications and source records attributed to Terry A. Loring.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Generating quantum error correcting codes from topological pre-thermal scars

Quantum many-body scars are rare nonthermal states embedded within otherwise thermalizing spectra, making them promising candidates for storing and manipulating quantum information. However, a general framework that can both identify such states without prior knowledge of their microscopic scarring mechanism and determine when they enable a quantum error correcting code has remained elusive. Here, we develop an end-to-end framework connecting nonthermal-state discovery to certifiable quantum error correction using a many-body spectral localizer. By searching for states jointly localized in energy and a diagnostic observable in systems with a many-body grading symmetry, the spectral localizer identifies candidate scars within dense many-body spectra in tandem with a topological index whose shifts determine their graded subspace. For suitable pairs of same-graded scars, the grading renders grading-odd errors exactly detectable, while their localization can suppress the logical action of sufficiently local grading-even error products, yielding an approximate Knill--Laflamme condition and an operator-algebra quantum error-correction structure. We demonstrate the scar-identification framework in one- and two-dimensional density-difference-dependent bosonic models and in the PXP model, and explicitly construct the resulting approximate quantum code in the one-dimensional bosonic system. Our results establish a systematic route from identifying nonthermal many-body states to exploiting them for protecting quantum information, and position pseudospectral methods as a broadly applicable tool for discovering useful behaviors in interacting quantum systems.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2026

Band Unfolding via the Quadratic Pseudospectrum

Band theory provides the foundation for understanding electronic structure in crystalline materials, but its reliance on exact translational symmetry limits its applicability to systems with defects, disorder, incommensurate modulations, or large unit cells. Here, we introduce a band unfolding framework that directly generalizes traditional band theory to systems where exact periodicity is absent, and which remains well-defined for both aperiodic and finite systems. To do so, we employ a pseudospectral approach to identify approximate joint eigenvectors of a system's Hamiltonian and translation operators, thereby yielding an unfolded band structure whose features are directly connected to the manifestation of approximate extended states simultaneously localized in energy and crystalline momentum. To reveal bulk-only spectral phenomena in finite systems, we further show that this pseudospectral framework naturally accommodates additional operators that suppress contributions from boundary-localized states, enabling the systematic isolation of intrinsic bulk behavior. We benchmark the scheme on several representative systems in one and two dimensions, including a Fibonacci chain, where our approach is able to both reveal a dispersive envelope while preserving the underlying hierarchy of spectral gaps. Looking forward, this pseudospectral approach may yield a broad framework for predicting momentum-resolved material responses in aperiodic, disordered, and finite systems where conventional band-theoretic methods are not applicable.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Clifford spectrum of three 2 by 2 matrices

We prove that the Clifford spectrum associated to three 2 by 2 matrices is nonempty. The structure of Clifford is described in terms "moving" level curves. We discuss some implication of a conjecture formulated for arbitrary size n by n of three matrices and give an example in the case of three self-adjoint operators in the infinite dimensional Hilbert space.

math.FA↗

arXiv2026

Efficient local classification of parity-based material topology

Although the classification of crystalline materials can be generally handled by momentum-space-based approaches, topological classification of aperiodic materials remains an outstanding challenge, as the absence of translational symmetry renders such conventional approaches inapplicable. Here, we present a numerically efficient real-space framework for classifying parity-based $\mathbb{Z}_2$ topology in aperiodic systems based on the spectral localizer framework and the direct computation of the sign of a Pfaffian associated with a large sparse skew-symmetric matrix. Unlike projector-based or momentum-space-based approaches, our method does not rely on translational symmetry, spectral gaps in the Hamiltonian's bulk, or gapped auxiliary operators such as spin projections, and instead provides a local, energy-resolved topological invariant accompanied by an intrinsic measure of topological protection. A central contribution of this work is the development of a scalable sparse factorization algorithm that enables the reliable determination of the Pfaffian's sign for large sparse matrices, making the approach practical to realistic physical materials. We apply this framework to identify the quantum spin Hall effect in quasicrystalline class AII systems, including gapless heterostructures, and to diagnose fragile topology in a large $C_2 \mathcal{T}$-symmetric photonic quasicrystal. Overall, our results demonstrate that the spectral localizer, combined with efficient sparse numerical methods, provides a unified and robust tool for diagnosing parity-based topological phases in aperiodic electronic, photonic, and acoustic materials where conventional band-theoretic indexes are inapplicable.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2025

Dimensional crossover of class D real-space topological invariants

The topological properties of a material depend on its symmetries, parameters, and spatial dimension. Changes in these properties due to parameter and symmetry variations can be understood by computing the corresponding topological invariant. Since topological invariants are typically defined for a fixed spatial dimension, there is no existing framework to understand the effects of changing spatial dimensions via invariants. Here, we introduce a framework to study topological phase transitions as a system's dimensionality is altered using real-space topological markers. Specifically, we consider Shiba lattices, which are class D materials formed by magnetic atoms on the surface of a conventional superconductor, and characterize the evolution of their topology when an initial circular island is deformed into a chain. We also provide a measure of the corresponding protection against disorder. Our framework is generalizable to any symmetry class and spatial dimension, potentially guiding the design of materials by identifying, for example, the minimum thickness of a slab required to maintain three-dimensional topological properties.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

Transforming antiunitary symmetries to a normal form

We look at explicit ways to bring one or two antiunitary symmetries into a standard form via unitary conjugation. We carefully reproduce Wigner's proof in two special cases, where the antiunitary operators square to $+I$, or to $-I$. Wigner's method is constructive and we show how leads to two algorithms to compute the needed unitaries in small examples. We then adapt these algorithms to deal with two such antiunitary matrices that commute up to a sign. This leads to a proof a finite-dimensional version of the well-known ten-fold way of topological physics. This will allow physicists to perform a change of basis on any finite-dimensional model in one of the Altland-Zirnbauer symmetry classes to a standardized version of that symmetry class in which time-reversal and and particle-hole symmetry are standard operations that can be implemented efficiently in standard numerical software. This will also make it easier to find formulas for some key isomorphisms between graded real $C^{*}$-algebras.

math-ph↗

arXiv2025

Classification of Fragile Topology Enabled by Matrix Homotopy

The moire flat bands in twisted bilayer graphene have attracted considerable attention not only because of the emergence of correlated phases but also due to their nontrivial topology. Specifically, they exhibit a new class of topology that can be nullified by the addition of trivial bands, termed fragile topology, which suggests the need for an expansion of existing classification schemes. Here, we develop a Z2 energy-resolved topological marker for classifying fragile phases using a system's position-space description, enabling the direct classification of finite, disordered, and aperiodic materials. By translating the physical symmetries protecting the system's fragile topological phase into matrix symmetries of the system's Hamiltonian and position operators, we use matrix homotopy to construct our topological marker while simultaneously yielding a quantitative measure of topological robustness. We show our framework's effectiveness using a C2T-symmetric twisted bilayer graphene model and photonic crystal as a continuum example. We have found that fragile topology can persist both under strong disorder and in heterostructures lacking a bulk spectral gap, and even an example of disorder-induced re-entrant topology. Overall, the proposed scheme serves as an effective tool for elucidating aspects of fragile topology, offering guidance for potential applications across a variety of experimental platforms from topological photonics to correlated phases in materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2024

Tutorial: Classifying Photonic Topology Using the Spectral Localizer and Numerical $K$-Theory

Recently, the spectral localizer framework has emerged as an efficient approach to classifying topology in photonic systems featuring local nonlinearities and radiative environments. In nonlinear systems, this framework provides rigorous definitions for concepts like topological solitons and topological dynamics, where a system's occupation induces a local change in its topology due to the nonlinearity. For systems embedded in radiative environments that do not possess a shared bulk spectral gap, this framework enables the identification of local topology and shows that local topological protection is preserved despite the lack of a common gap. However, as the spectral localizer framework is rooted in the mathematics of $C^*$-algebras, and not vector bundles, understanding and using this framework requires developing intuition for a somewhat different set of underlying concepts than those that appear in traditional approaches to classifying material topology. In this tutorial, we introduce the spectral localizer framework from a ground-up perspective, and provide physically motivated arguments for understanding its local topological markers and associated local measure of topological protection. In doing so, we provide numerous examples of the framework's application to a variety of topological classes, including crystalline and higher-order topology. We then show how Maxwell's equations can be reformulated to be compatible with the spectral localizer framework, including the possibility of radiative boundary conditions. To aid in this introduction, we also provide a physics-oriented introduction to multi-operator pseudospectral methods and numerical $K$-theory, two mathematical concepts that form the foundation for the spectral localizer framework.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Multivariable pseudospectrum in $C^*$-algebras

We look at various forms of spectrum and associated pseudospectrum that can be defined for noncommuting $d$-tuples of Hermitian elements of a $C^*$-algebra. The emphasis is on theoretical calculations of examples, in particular for noncommuting pairs and triple of operators on infinite dimensional Hilbert space. In particular, we look at the universal pair of projections in a $C^*$-algebra, the usual position and momentum operators, and triples of tridiagonal operators.

math.OA↗

arXiv2024

Local markers for crystalline topology

Over the last few years, crystalline topology has been used in photonic crystals to realize edge- and corner-localized states that enhance light-matter interactions for potential device applications. However, the band-theoretic approaches currently used to classify bulk topological crystalline phases cannot predict the existence, localization, or spectral isolation of any resulting boundary-localized modes. While interfaces between materials in different crystalline phases must have topological states at some energy, these states need not appear within the band gap, and thus may not be useful for applications. Here, we derive a class of local markers for identifying material topology due to crystalline symmetries, as well as a corresponding measure of topological protection. As our real-space-based approach is inherently local, it immediately reveals the existence and robustness of topological boundary-localized states, yielding a predictive framework for designing topological crystalline heterostructures. Beyond enabling the optimization of device geometries, we anticipate that our framework will also provide a route forward to deriving local markers for other classes of topology that are reliant upon spatial symmetries.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2024

Classifying topology in photonic crystal slabs with radiative environments

In the recent years, photonic Chern materials have attracted substantial interest as they feature topological edge states that are robust against disorder, promising to realize defect-agnostic integrated photonic crystal slab devices. However, the out-of-plane radiative losses in those photonic Chern slabs has been previously neglected, yielding limited accuracy for predictions of these systems' topological protection. Here, we develop a general framework for measuring the topological protection in photonic systems, such as in photonic crystal slabs, while accounting for in-plane and out-of-plane radiative losses. Our approach relies on the spectral localizer that combines the position and Hamiltonian matrices of the system to draw a real-picture of the system's topology. This operator-based approach to topology allows us to use an effective Hamiltonian directly derived from the full-wave Maxwell equations after discretization via finite-elements method (FEM), resulting in the full account of all the system's physical processes. As the spectral FEM-localizer is constructed solely from FEM discretization of the system's master equation, the proposed framework is applicable to any physical system and is compatible with commonly used FEM software. Moving forward, we anticipate the generality of the method to aid in the topological classification of a broad range of complex physical systems.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Even spheres as joint spectra of matrix models

The Clifford spectrum is a form of joint spectrum for noncommuting matrices. This theory has been applied in photonics, condensed matter and string theory. In applications, the Clifford spectrum can be efficiently approximated using numerical methods, but this only is possible in low dimensional example. Here we examine the higher-dimensional spheres that can arise from theoretical examples. We also describe a constuctive method to generate five real symmetric almost commuting matrices that have a $K$-theoretical obstruction to being close to commuting matrices. For this, we look to matrix models of topological electric circuits.

math.OA↗

arXiv2023

Classifying topology in photonic heterostructures with gapless environments

Photonic topological insulators exhibit bulk-boundary correspondence, which requires that boundary-localized states appear at the interface formed between topologically distinct insulating materials. However, many topological photonic devices share a boundary with free space, which raises a subtle but critical problem as free space is gapless for photons above the light-line. Here, we use a local theory of topological materials to resolve bulk-boundary correspondence in heterostructures containing gapless materials and in radiative environments. In particular, we construct the heterostructure's spectral localizer, a composite operator based on the system's real-space description that provides a local marker for the system's topology and a corresponding local measure of its topological protection; both quantities are independent of the material's bulk band gap (or lack thereof). Moreover, we show that approximating radiative outcoupling as material absorption overestimates a heterostructure's topological protection. As the spectral localizer is applicable to systems in any physical dimension and in any discrete symmetry class, our results show how to calculate topological invariants, quantify topological protection, and locate topological boundary-localized resonances in topological materials that interface with gapless media in general.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2023

Probing topology in nonlinear topological materials using numerical $K$-theory

Nonlinear topological insulators have garnered substantial recent attention as they have both enabled the discovery of new physics due to interparticle interactions, and may have applications in photonic devices such as topological lasers and frequency combs. However, due to the local nature of nonlinearities, previous attempts to classify the topology of nonlinear systems have required significant approximations that must be tailored to individual systems. Here, we develop a general framework for classifying the topology of nonlinear materials in any discrete symmetry class and any physical dimension. Our approach is rooted in a numerical $K$-theoretic method called the spectral localizer, which leverages a real-space perspective of a system to define local topological markers and a local measure of topological protection. Our nonlinear spectral localizer framework yields a quantitative definition of topologically non-trivial nonlinear modes that are distinguished by the appearance of a topological interface surrounding the mode. Moreover, we show how the nonlinear spectral localizer can be used to understand a system's topological dynamics, i.e., the time-evolution of nonlinearly induced topological domains within a system. We anticipate that this framework will enable the discovery and development of novel topological systems across a broad range of nonlinear materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Revealing Topology in Metals using Experimental Protocols Inspired by $K$-Theory

Topological metals are special conducting materials with gapless band structures and nontrivial edge-localized resonances, whose discovery has proved elusive because the traditional topological classification methods do not apply in this context. Inspired by recent theoretical developments that leveraged techniques from the field of $C^*$-algebras to identify topological metals \cite{cerjan_local_2021}, here, we directly observe topological phenomena in gapless acoustic crystals and provide a general experimental technique to demonstrate their topology. Specifically, we not only observe robust boundary-localized states in a topological acoustic metal, but also re-interpret a composite operator, mathematically derived from the K-theory of the problem, as a new Hamiltonian, whose physical implementation allows us to directly observe a topological spectral flow and measure the topological invariants. Our observations and experimental protocols may offer insights for discovering topological behavior across a wide array of artificial and natural materials that lack bulk band gaps.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2022

Computing Truncated Joint Approximate Eigenbases for Model Order Reduction

In this document, some elements of the theory and algorithmics corresponding to the existence and computability of approximate joint eigenpairs for finite collections of matrices with applications to model order reduction, are presented. More specifically, given a finite collection $X_1,\ldots,X_d$ of Hermitian matrices in $\mathbb{C}^{n\times n}$, a positive integer $r\ll n$, and a collection of complex numbers $\hat{x}_{j,k}\in \mathbb{C}$ for $1\leq j\leq d$, $1\leq k\leq r$. First, we study the computability of a set of $r$ vectors $w_1,\ldots,w_r\in \mathbb{C}^{n}$, such that $w_k=\arg\min_{w\in \mathbb{C}^n}\sum_{j=1}^d\|X_jw-\hat{x}_{j,k} w\|^2$ for each $1\leq k \leq r$, then we present a model order reduction procedure based on the truncated joint approximate eigenbases computed with the aforementioned techniques. Some prototypical algorithms together with some numerical examples are presented as well.

math.NA↗

arXiv2022

An operator-based approach to topological photonics

Recently, the study of topological structures in photonics has garnered significant interest, as these systems can realize robust, non-reciprocal chiral edge states and cavity-like confined states that have applications in both linear and non-linear devices. However, current band theoretic approaches to understanding topology in photonic systems yield fundamental limitations on the classes of structures that can be studied. Here, we develop a theoretical framework for assessing a photonic structure's topology directly from its effective Hamiltonian and position operators, as expressed in real space, and without the need to calculate the system's Bloch eigenstates or band structure. Using this framework, we show that non-trivial topology, and associated boundary-localized chiral resonances, can manifest in photonic crystals with broken time-reversal symmetry that lack a complete band gap, a result which may have implications for new topological laser designs. Finally, we use our operator-based framework to develop a novel class of invariants for topology stemming from a system's crystalline symmetries, which allows for the prediction of robust localized states for creating waveguides and cavities.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2022

Local invariants identify topology in metals and gapless systems

Although topological band theory has been used to discover and classify a wide array of novel topological phases in insulating and semi-metal systems, it is not well-suited to identifying topological phenomena in metallic or gapless systems. Here, we develop a theory of topological metals based on the system's spectral localizer and associated Clifford pseudospectrum, which can both determine whether a system exhibits boundary-localized states despite the presence of degenerate bulk bands and provide a measure of these states' topological protection even in the absence of a bulk band gap. We demonstrate the generality of this method across symmetry classes in two lattice systems, a Chern metal and a higher-order topological metal, and prove the topology of these systems is robust to relatively strong perturbations. The ability to define invariants for metallic and gapless systems allows for the possibility of finding topological phenomena in a broad range of natural, photonic, and other artificial materials that could not be previously explored.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗