arXiv subjects

Valeri N. Kotov

Publications and source records attributed to Valeri N. Kotov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Colloquium: Semi-Dirac Fermions in Quantum Matter

This article reviews the recent progress on the subject of semi-Dirac fermions, two dimensional quasiparticles that disperse quadratically, as Galilean invariant particles, or linearly, as massless relativistic particles, depending on their direction of motion. These particles exist at a phase boundary set by the continuous change in the connectivity of Fermi surfaces, known as topological Lifshitz transitions. The basic properties and the current experimental evidence of the existence of these particles in both synthetic lattices and quantum materials are presented. The many-body problem of semi-Dirac fermions is discussed from a theoretical perspective with an eye to physical observables of relevance to experiments.

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arXiv2026

Interacting type-II semi-Dirac quasiparticles

Type-II semi-Dirac fermions in two dimensions have been proposed to describe topologically nontrivial low-energy excitations in titanium/vanadium oxide heterostructures. These quasiparticles appear at the merger of three Dirac cones, resulting in a non-zero Berry phase. We find, by employing Hartree-Fock, renormalization group and Random Phase Approximation (RPA) techniques, that the spectrum is very sensitive to long-range electron-electron interactions and can undergo a profound transformation. Our results indicate that at the topological phase boundary, long-range correlations stabilize a hybrid electronic phase displaying both Dirac and type-II semi-Dirac qualities, with physical characteristics exhibiting continuously varying critical exponents as a function of the Fermi energy; for example Landau levels in a magnetic field vary with the energy scale: $|\varepsilon_n(B)|\sim (nB)^{1/2} \rightarrow (nB)^{3/4}, n\in \mathbb{N}_0$. The quasiparticle spectrum evolves, driven by interactions, from anisotropic Dirac dispersion at the lowest energies, towards the characteristic type-II semi-Dirac boomerang shape as the energy increases. The corresponding density of states concomitantly varies between linear and power one third ($ρ(\varepsilon) \sim |\varepsilon| \rightarrow |\varepsilon|^{1/3}$). The crossover scale is controlled by the interaction strength $α= e^2/(\hbar v)$ and the specifics of the effective interacting Hamiltonian.

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arXiv2025

Microscopic lattice model for quartic semi-Dirac fermions in two dimensions

We propose a lattice model for the realization of exotic quartic semi-Dirac fermions, i.e. quasiparticles exhibiting a dispersion with quartic momentum dependence in a given direction, and a linear dependence in the perpendicular direction. A tight binding model is employed, allowing for hopping between up to fourth nearest neighbors and anisotropic hopping parameters. In addition, we introduce short range electron-electron interactions which are necessary to stabilize the quartic semi-Dirac phase. Without interactions, or in the presence of long range correlations, the lattice is unstable towards formation of either anisotropic Dirac cones, or simple (quadratic) semi-Dirac phase.

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arXiv2025

Coulomb interactions in systems of generalized semi-Dirac fermions

Interactions have strong effects in systems with flat bands. We examine the role of Coulomb interactions in two dimensional chiral anisotropic quasiparticles that disperse linearly in one direction and have relatively flat bands near the neutrality point in the other direction, dispersing with an arbitrary positive even power law $2n\geq2$. As in the conventional semi-Dirac case $(n=1$), we show using renormalization group that strong logarithmic divergences in the self-energy of generalized semi-Dirac fermions resum and lead to a restoration of linearity in the spectrum for arbitrary $n$ over a sizable energy window in the perturbative regime. We discuss those results in light of previous non-perturbative large $N_{f}$ results and address the implications for physical observables.

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arXiv2023

Polarization Charge around Impurities in Two-Dimensional Anisotropic Dirac Systems

Introducing quasiparticle anisotropy in graphene via uniaxial strain has a profound effect on the polarization charge density induced by external impurities, both Coulomb and short-range. In particular, the charge distribution induced by a Coulomb impurity exhibits a power law tail modulated by a strain-dependent admixture of angular harmonics. The appearance of distributed charge is in sharp contrast to the response in pristine/isotropic graphene, where for subcritical impurities the polarization charge is fully localized at the impurity position. It is also interesting to note that our results are obtained strictly at zero chemical potential, and the behavior is distinct from the familiar Friedel oscillations observed at finite chemical potential. We find that over a wide range of strain, the $d$-wave symmetry is dominant. The presence of Dirac cone tilt, relevant to some 2D materials beyond graphene, can also substantially affect the induced charge distribution. Finally we consider impurities with short range potentials, and study the effect of strain on the charge response. Our results were obtained in the continuum via perturbation theory valid for weak (subcritical) potentials, and supported by numerical lattice simulations based on density functional theory.

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arXiv2023

Quantum Atomic Matter Near Two-Dimensional Materials in Microgravity

Novel two-dimensional (2D) atomically flat materials, such as graphene and transition-metal dichalcogenides, exhibit unconventional Dirac electronic spectra. We propose to effectively engineer their interactions with cold atoms in microgravity, leading to a synergy between complex electronic and atomic collective quantum phases and phenomena. Dirac materials are susceptible to manipulation and quantum engineering via changes in their electronic properties by application of strain, doping with carriers, adjustment of their dielectric environment, etc. Consequently the interaction of atoms with such materials, namely the van der Waals / Casimir-Polder interaction, can be effectively manipulated, leading to the potential observation of physical effects such as Quantum Reflection off atomically thin materials and confined Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) frequency shifts.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2022

Strain-induced superfluid transition for atoms on graphene

Bosonic atoms deposited on atomically thin substrates represent a playground for exotic quantum many-body physics due to the highly-tunable, atomic-scale nature of the interaction potentials. The ability to engineer strong interparticle interactions can lead to the emergence of complex collective atomic states of matter, not possible in the context of dilute atomic gases confined in optical lattices. While it is known that the first layer of adsorbed helium on graphene is permanently locked into a solid phase, we show by a combination of quantum Monte Carlo and mean-field techniques, that simple isotropic graphene lattice expansion effectively unlocks a large variety of two-dimensional ordered commensurate, incommensurate, cluster atomic solid, and superfluid states for adsorbed atoms. It is especially significant that an atomically thin superfluid phase of matter emerges under experimentally feasible strain values, with potentially supersolid phases in close proximity on the phase diagram.

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arXiv2022

Spinodal de-wetting of light liquids on graphene

We demonstrate theoretically the possibility of spinodal de-wetting in heterostructures made of light--atom liquids (hydrogen, helium, and nitrogen) deposited on suspended graphene. Extending our theory of film growth on two-dimensional materials to include analysis of surface instabilities via the hydrodynamic Cahn--Hilliard-type equation, we characterize in detail the resulting spinodal de-wetting patterns. Both linear stability analysis and advanced computational treatment of the surface hydrodynamics show micron-sized (generally material and atom dependent) patterns of "dry" regions. The physical reason for the development of such instabilities on graphene can be traced back to the inherently weak van der Waals interactions between atomically thin materials and atoms in the liquid. Similar phenomena occur in doped graphene and other two-dimensional materials, such as monolayer dichalcogenides. Thus two-dimensional materials represent a universal theoretical and technological platform for studies of spinodal de-wetting.

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arXiv2021

A Perspective on Collective Properties of Atoms on 2D Materials

Atoms deposited on two-dimensional (2D) electronic materials, such as graphene, can exhibit unconventional many-body correlations, not accessible in other settings. All of these are driven by van der Waals forces: between the atoms themselves and atom-material interactions. For example $^4$He atoms on 2D materials can potentially form a variety of exotic quantum states of matter, such as two-dimensional supersolids and superfluids, in addition to solid phases. For the "most quantum" case of a single helium layer we discuss, from a theoretical perspective, how the effective low-energy (Bose-Hubbard) description can take advantage of the extreme sensitivity of this unique system to the interplay between the atomic (helium) and solid-state (graphene) components. Due to the extraordinary variety and tunability of 2D electronic materials, we envisage that a wide range of correlated atomic phases can be realized under favorable conditions. We also outline exciting possibilities in the opposite extreme of many atomic layers forming a liquid on top of graphene -- in this case a so-called "spinodal de-wetting" pattern can form at the liquid-vapor interface which reflects the presence and electronic properties of graphene underneath. Such patterns could be manipulated by choosing different atoms and materials, with potential technological applications.

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arXiv2021

Two-Dimensional Bose-Hubbard Model for Helium on Graphene

An exciting development in the field of correlated systems is the possibility of realizing two-dimensional (2D) phases of quantum matter. For a systems of bosons, an example of strong correlations manifesting themselves in a 2D environment is provided by helium adsorbed on graphene. We construct the effective Bose-Hubbard model for this system which involves hard-core bosons $(U\approx\infty)$, repulsive nearest-neighbor $(V>0)$ and small attractive $(V'<0)$ next-nearest neighbor interactions. The mapping onto the Bose-Hubbard model is accomplished by a variety of many-body techniques which take into account the strong He-He correlations on the scale of the graphene lattice spacing. Unlike the case of dilute ultracold atoms where interactions are effectively point-like, the detailed microscopic form of the short range electrostatic and long range dispersion interactions in the helium-graphene system are crucial for the emergent Bose-Hubbard description. The result places the ground state of the first layer of $^4$He adsorbed on graphene deep in the commensurate solid phase with $1/3$ of the sites on the dual triangular lattice occupied. Because the parameters of the effective Bose-Hubbard model are very sensitive to the exact lattice structure, this opens up an avenue to tune quantum phase transitions in this solid-state system.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2021

Coulomb interactions and renormalization of semi-Dirac fermions near a topological Lifshitz transition

We aim to understand how the spectrum of semi-Dirac fermions is renormalized due to long-range Coulomb electron-electron interactions at a topological Lifshitz transition, where two Dirac cones merge. At the transition, the electronic spectrum is characterized by massive quadratic dispersion in one direction, while it remains linear in the other. We have found that, to lowest order, the unconventional log squared (double logarithmic) correction to the quasiparticle mass in bare perturbation theory leads to resummation into strong mass renormalization in the exact full solution of the perturbative renormalization group equations. This behavior effectively wipes out the curvature of the dispersion and leads to Dirac cone restoration at low energy: the system flows towards Dirac dispersion which is anisotropic but linear in momentum, with interaction-depended logarithmic modulation. The Berry phase associated with the restored critical Dirac spectrum is zero - a property guaranteed by time-reversal symmetry and unchanged by renormalization. Our results are in contrast with the behavior that has been found within the large-$N$ approach.

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arXiv2020

Anomalous Transition Magnetic Moments in two-dimensional Dirac Materials

We show that the magnetic response of atomically thin materials with Dirac spectrum and spin-orbit interactions can exhibit strong dependence on electron-electron interactions. While graphene itself has a very small spin-orbit coupling, various two-dimensional (2D) compounds "beyond graphene" are good candidates to exhibit the strong interplay between spin-orbit and Coulomb interactions. Materials in this class include dichalcogenides (such as MoS$_2$ and WSe$_2$), silicene, germanene, as well as 2D topological insulators described by the Kane-Mele model. We present a unified theory for their in-plane magnetic field response leading to "anomalous", i.e. electron interaction dependent transition moments. Our predictions can be potentially used to construct unique magnetic probes with high sensitivity to electron correlations.

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arXiv2018

Ferromagnetic Mott State in Twisted Graphene Bilayers at the Magic Angle

We address the effective tight-binding Hamiltonian that describes the insulating Mott state of twisted graphene bilayers at a magic angle. In that configuration, twisted bilayers form a honeycomb superlattice of localized states, characterized by the appearance of flat bands with four-fold degeneracy. After calculating the maximally localized superlattice Wannier wavefunctions, we derive the effective spin model that describes the Mott state. We suggest that the system is an exotic ferromagnetic Mott insulator, with well defined experimental signatures.

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arXiv2018

Theory of liquid film growth and wetting instabilities on graphene

We investigate wetting phenomena near graphene within the Dzyaloshinskii-Lifshitz-Pitaevskii theory for light gases composed of hydrogen, helium and nitrogen in three different geometries where graphene is either affixed to an insulating substrate, submerged or suspended. We find that the presence of graphene has a significant effect in all configurations. In a suspended geometry where graphene is able to wet on only one side, liquid film growth becomes arrested at a critical thickness which may trigger surface instabilities and pattern formation analogous to spinodal dewetting. These phenomena are also universally present in other two-dimensional materials.

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arXiv2017

Excitonic mass gap in uniaxially strained graphene

We study the conditions for spontaneously generating an excitonic mass gap due to Coulomb interactions between anisotropic Dirac fermions in uniaxially strained graphene. The mass gap equation is realized as a self-consistent solution for the self-energy within the Hartree-Fock mean-field and static random phase approximations. It depends not only on momentum, due to the long-range nature of the interaction, but also on the velocity anisotropy caused by the presence of uniaxial strain. We solve the nonlinear integral equation self-consistently by performing large scale numerical calculations on variable grid sizes. We evaluate the mass gap at the charge neutrality (Dirac) point as a function of the dimensionless coupling constant and anisotropy parameter. We also obtain the phase diagram of the critical coupling, at which the gap becomes finite, against velocity anisotropy. Our numerical study indicates that with an increase in uniaxial strain in graphene the strength of critical coupling decreases, which suggests anisotropy supports formation of excitonic mass gap in graphene.

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arXiv2016

Designing Quantum Spin-Orbital Liquids in Artificial Mott Insulators

Quantum spin-orbital liquids are elusive strongly correlated states of matter that emerge from quantum frustration between spin and orbital degrees of freedom. A promising route towards the observation of those states is the creation of artificial Mott insulators where antiferromagnetic correlations between spins and orbitals can be designed. We show that Coulomb impurity lattices on the surface of gapped honeycomb substrates, such as graphene on SiC, can be used to simulate SU(4) symmetric spin-orbital lattice models. We exploit the property that massive Dirac fermions form mid-gap bound states with spin and valley degeneracies in the vicinity of a Coulomb impurity. Due to electronic repulsion, the antiferromagnetic correlations of the impurity lattice are driven by a super-exchange interaction with SU(4) symmetry, which emerges from the bound states degeneracy at quarter filling. We propose that quantum spin-orbital liquids can be engineered in artificially designed solid-state systems at vastly higher temperatures than achievable in optical lattices with cold atoms. We discuss the experimental setup and possible scenarios for candidate quantum spin-liquids in Coulomb impurity lattices of various geometries.

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arXiv2016

Infrared Dynamics of Cold Atoms on Hot Graphene Membranes

We study the infrared dynamics of low-energy atoms interacting with a sample of suspended graphene at finite temperature. The dynamics exhibits severe infrared divergences order by order in perturbation theory as a result of the singular nature of low-energy flexural phonon emission. Our model can be viewed as a two-channel generalization of the independent boson model with asymmetric atom-phonon coupling. This allows us to take advantage of the exact non-perturbative solution of the independent boson model in the stronger channel while treating the weaker one perturbatively. In the low-energy limit, the exact solution can be viewed as a resummation (exponentiation) of the most divergent diagrams in the perturbative expansion. As a result of this procedure, we obtain the atom's Green function which we use to calculate the atom damping rate, a quantity equal to the quantum sticking rate. A characteristic feature of our results is that the Green's function retains a weak, infrared cutoff dependence that reflects the reduced dimensionality of the problem. As a consequence, we predict a measurable dependence of the sticking rate on graphene sample size. We provide detailed predictions for the sticking rate of atomic hydrogen as a function of temperature and sample size. The resummation yields an enhanced sticking rate relative to the conventional Fermi golden rule result (equivalent to the one-loop atom self-energy), as higher-order processes increase damping at finite temperature.

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arXiv2016

Adsorption by design: tuning atom-graphene van der Waals interactions via mechanical strain

We aim to understand how the van der Waals force between neutral adatoms and a graphene layer is modified by uniaxial strain and electron correlation effects. A detailed analysis is presented for three atoms (He, H, and Na) and graphene strain ranging from weak to moderately strong. We show that the van der Waals potential can be significantly enhanced by strain, and present applications of our results to the problem of elastic scattering of atoms from graphene. In particular we find that quantum reflection can be significantly suppressed by strain, meaning that dissipative inelastic effects near the surface become of increased importance. Furthermore we introduce a method to independently estimate the Lennard-Jones parameters used in an effective model of He interacting with graphene, and determine how they depend on strain. At short distances, we find that strain tends to reduce the interaction strength by pushing the location of the adsorption potential minima to higher distances above the deformed graphene sheet. This opens up the exciting possibility of mechanically engineering an adsorption potential, with implications for the formation and observation of anisotropic low dimensional superfluid phases.

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