SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

X. C. Xie

Publications and source records attributed to X. C. Xie.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

$1/3$-Flux Bound States in Multicomponent Superconductor Exhibiting Non-Abelian Statistics of $\mathbb {Z}_3$ Parafermions

Multicomponent superconductors (MSCs) are predicted to host magnetic flux quanta carrying arbitrary fractions of the superconducting flux quantum. Recent advances have raised the expectation that $1/3$ flux quanta may emerge in MSCs with $C_3$ rotational symmetry. Electrons bound to such fractional flux are long regarded to form anyons, yet their explicit braiding statistics remain unexplored. We propose that these 1/3-flux bound states (1/3-FBSs) exhibit the intriguing non-Abelian statistics of $\mathbb{Z}_3$ parafermions. Under no-double-occupancy constraint, two successive braiding operations of 1/3-FBSs are equivalent to a single $\mathbb Z_3$ parafermion braiding operation. The parafermion parity encoding the braiding outcome can be read out via the fermionic occupation number of the 1/3-FBSs. Combined with a crossed-Andreev-reflection-induced Hadamard gate, one can realize the complete set of $\mathbb{Z}_3$ parafermion braiding operations.

cond-mat.supr-con

Revealing Hidden Unconventional Pairing through Nonreciprocal Transport

Identifying the pairing symmetry of Cooper pairs is a fundamental step toward understanding the microscopic mechanisms of unconventional superconductors. However, experimental identification remains a formidable challenge, particularly when unconventional pairing is obscured by a dominant $s$-wave component that masks its spectroscopic signatures. Here, we develop a symmetry-resolved framework to identify superconducting pairing symmetry through nonreciprocal conductance upon exchanging source and detector terminals in multiterminal devices. We show that nonreciprocal transport arises from symmetry-breaking components of the superconducting order parameter and exhibits a characteristic angular dependence that encodes the momentum-space structure of the pairing gap. In particular, time-reversal-breaking singlet pairing induces nonreciprocal charge transport, while spin-triplet pairing generates nonreciprocal spin responses, providing distinct transport fingerprints of the underlying order. We demonstrate this mechanism using representative models of iron-based and noncentrosymmetric superconductors and outline experimental protocols for multiterminal measurements. Our results advance the theoretical understanding of nonreciprocal transport in superconductors, and establish it as a symmetry-selective probe for identifying hidden unconventional pairing in a wide range of superconducting materials.

cond-mat.supr-con

Logarithmic Aging Diffusion from a Multiplicative Event Clock: Rare Event Statistics, Ultraslow Transport, and Ensemble-Time Inequivalence

Logarithmic time dependences occur in many aging materials, but neither a $\ln t$ relaxation law nor a $1/t$ event rate uniquely identifies the underlying stochastic mechanism. We examine a specific log-aging process defined by iterating the age-conditioned forward-recurrence law after every event. This rule makes the event times multiplicative: the logarithmic ratios $U_n=\ln(T_{n+1}/T_n)$ are independent and identically distributed with an explicit non-exponential density. Consequently, both the mean and the variance of the event count grow linearly with $\ln(t/t_0)$, while the density of the $n$th event time has a log-normal central sector and a fixed-$n$ algebraic far tail. These clock statistics generate logarithmic drift and spreading, an Einstein relation under local detailed balance, and ultraslow transit and target-survival laws. They also separate trajectory reproducibility from ensemble--time equivalence: the relative scatter of the time-averaged mean-square displacement decays as $1/\ln(T/t_0)$, although its mean does not converge to the ensemble lag MSD. We distinguish the exact event-level construction from its diffusion-limit generalized Fokker--Planck and random-clock subordination representations, and from a generalized-Langevin closure that can match selected responses and covariances but need not reproduce event counts or rare-duration statistics. The proposed clock is therefore tested not by a single logarithmic curve, but by the joint, no-refitting consistency of multiplier, count, transport, first-passage, and finite-window observables.

cond-mat.stat-mech

Superconducting triode effect in a quantum-dot Josephson junction with a biased top gate

Non-reciprocal supercurrents enable non-dissipative rectification, holding great promise for superconducting electronics. Conventionally, this non-reciprocity, termed the superconducting diode effect, requires the simultaneous breaking of time-reversal and parity symmetries. Here, we propose a superconducting triode effect in an asymmetric quantum-dot Josephson junction coupled to an additional metallic top gate, which breaks the parity symmetry while explicitly preserving time-reversal symmetry. We demonstrate that the supercurrent across this junction exhibits a strong non-reciprocal effect that can be continuously manipulated via the top gate to achieve an ideal unidirectional supercurrent, thus manifesting a superconducting triode effect. Furthermore, under radio-frequency radiation, this junction exhibits highly asymmetric Shapiro steps, realizing fully quantized supercurrent rectification. Our work not only provides an alternative physical mechanism for the superconducting diode effect observed in Josephson junctions with explicit time-reversal symmetry, but also introduces a new tuning knob to manipulate supercurrent non-reciprocity.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Anisotropic Surface Spin Waves as Signature of A-type Altermagnets

Altermagnets have attracted intense interest because they have the advantages of both ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. However, their experimental identification remains challenging, in particular for the A-type altermagnets that account for a large group of material candidates. Here, we discover a kind of anisotropic surface spin waves in A-type altermagnets, which is absent in ferromagnets and conventional antiferromagnets. The anisotropic surface spin waves arise directly from the nature of altermagnets, i.e., the spin-opposite sublattices cannot be related by translation or inversion, which breaks the combined spatial-inversion and time-reversal symmetry, leading to the anisotropic surface spin waves with two properties, the chirality-dependent top-bottom positions and chiral split constant frequency contours. We further show that these two properties can be measured experimentally from the stray field and by resonance absorption spectrum, respectively. Our results provide a signature for detecting altermagnets and will inspire spin-based logic and information-storage devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall

3D Quantum Hall Effect with Two Distinct Plateaus

The recent discovery of the 3D quantum Hall effect in $\mathrm{HfTe_5}$ has also revealed puzzling signatures of possible 3D fractionalization. Beyond the first plateau associated with the lowest Landau band, Hall conductivity exhibits a second plateau with a value of about $3/5$ of the first, accompanied by a suppressed longitudinal resistivity. Here, we attribute this second plateau to an insulating ground state arising from spin-density-wave order. We show that a magnetic-field-driven Lifshitz transition causes the spin-down holelike zeroth Landau band to cross the Fermi energy and that the resulting nesting between the lowest spin-up and spin-down Landau bands induces a spin-density wave. We calculate the Hall and longitudinal resistivity and reproduce the experimental behaviors. Our renormalization-group analysis further supports this insulating ground state. Our work reveals that the tunability of Landau bands along the magnetic-field direction endows the 3D quantum Hall effect with a broader phenomenology than its 2D counterpart and merits further exploration.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Electron Dynamics Reconstruction and Nontrivial Transport by Acoustic Waves

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) become a popular driving source in modern condensed matter physics, but most existing theories simplify them as electric fields and ignore the non-uniform Brillouin zone folding effect. We develop a semiclassical framework and reconstruct the electron dynamics by treating SAW as a quasi-periodic potential modulating electronic momentum distribution. This framework naturally explains the experimentally observed DC drag current and predicts acousto-electric Hall effect. The theory further reveals various SAW-driven transport phenomena, emerging anomalous Hall, thermal Hall, and Nernst effects within time-reversal symmetric systems. Illustrated in bilayer graphene and $\mathrm{MX_2}$ (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se, Te), the angular-dependent acousto-electric Hall effect provides an experimental probe for Berry curvature distribution.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Nonperturbative Magnetic Orbital Hall Effect in Altermagnets

Recent studies on altermagnets have focused considerable attention on nonrelativistic effects that persist in the absence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC). As a result, the relative importance of various phenomena in altermagnets has commonly been judged by their dependence on SOC. Here, we challenge this common wisdom by uncovering the magnetic orbital Hall effect, which is nonperturbative in SOC strength. We establish the symmetry properties of this effect, demonstrating that it is strictly forbidden in conventional collinear antiferromagnets yet universally allowed in all ten spin-Laue classes of collinear altermagnets. Counterintuitively, although SOC-induced, it reaches giant magnitudes in altermagnets-comparable to or even exceeding the nonrelativistic spin Hall effect. Moreover, altermagnetic symmetry enables unconventional collinear-polarized orbital currents, allowing field-free manipulation of perpendicular magnetization. Our first-principles calculations predict strong room-temperature responses in the experimentally established altermagnets CrSb and FeSb2. These findings reveal the previously overlooked potential of altermagnetic orbitronics and broaden the horizons for altermagnets in high-performance magnetic memory applications.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Theory of Integer Quantum Hall Effect in Irrational Magnetic Field

The conventional theory of the integer quantum Hall effect (IQHE) fails for irrational magnetic fields owing to the breakdown of magnetic translational symmetry. Here, based on the recently proposed incommensurate energy band (IEB) theory, we present a universal IQHE theory that does not rely on magnetic translation symmetry and is applicable to both rational and irrational magnetic fluxes. Using the square lattice as a paradigmatic example, we first show that the IEB framework provides a superior description of its energy spectrum in a magnetic field, as it explicitly reveals the momentum-space distribution of eigenstates. Key to our IQHE theory is that each gap in the IEB spectrum is intrinsically labeled by an integer pair (m,g), defined by the corresponding Bragg planes. When the Fermi energy lies within such a gap, the occupied electron states $N_{\text{occ}}$ is determined by the k-space volume enclosed by these Bragg planes, leading to the fundamental relation $N_{\text{occ}}/N_0 = m(\phi/\phi_0) + g$. Through St\v{r}eda formula, this leads directly to the quantized Hall conductance $\sigma_{xy} = m e^2/h$ under arbitrary magnetic fields. Our work resolves the long-standing problem of IQHE under irrational flux, and establishes a new paradigm for IQHE.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Quantum Christoffel Nonlinear Magnetization

The Christoffel symbol is an essential quantity in Einstein's general theory of relativity. We discover that an electric field can induce a nonlinear magnetization in quantum materials, described by a Christoffel symbol defined in the Hilbert space of quantum states (quantum Christoffel symbol). Quite different from the previous scenarios, this orbital magnetization does not need spin-orbit coupling and inversion symmetry breaking. Through symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we identify a number of point groups and 2D material candidates (e.g., BiF$_3$, ZnI$_2$, and Ru$_4$Se$_5$) that host this quantum Christoffel nonlinear magnetization. More importantly, this nonlinear magnetization allows the quantum Christoffel symbol to be probed by optical techniques such as magneto-optical Kerr spectroscopy or transport measurements such as tunneling magneto-resistance. This quantum Christoffel nonlinear magnetization gives a paradigm of how geometry dictates physics.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Long-distance spin transport in frustrated hyperkagome magnet Gd3Ga5O12

Transport of spin angular momentum over large distance has been a long sought-after goal in the field of spintronics. While the majority of the research effort has been devoted to the spin transport properties of magnetically ordered materials, spin transport in magnetically frustrated materials has received little attention. Here, we report an anomalous state in frustrated hyperkagome magnetic insulator Gd3Ga5O12, where spin angular momenta can be transported over a long distance of 480 {\mu}m, far exceeding the transport distance of any diffusive spin current in magnetically ordered materials, to the best of our knowledge. Monte Carlo simulations reveal significant spin fluctuations, spin-spin correlations and an absence of conventional magnons in such anomalous state; while the response of the anomalous state to perturbation is found to be akin to an overdamped forced oscillator. We find close relation of such state to the correlated ``director'' state in the material. Our result provides an effective electrical technique to characterize spin-spin correlations and frustrations; it also unveils the potential of frustrated magnets as powerful channel materials for spin transport.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Theory of Correlated Hofstadter Spectrum in Magic-Angle Graphene

The magnetic-field-induced correlated Chern insulator (CCI) states in magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene (MATBG) have been intensively studied in experiments, but a simple and clear understanding of their origin is still lacking. Here, we propose a unified theoretical framework for the CCI states in MATBG that successfully explains most experimental observations. The key insight of our theory is that, due to the very narrow bandwidth of MATBG, correlation-enhanced valley and spin Zeeman terms are critical for shaping the intricate Hofstadter spectrum, resulting in an interwoven, flavor-resolved (spin and valley) Hofstadter spectrum that can well describe the observed CCI states. Crucially, due to the Zeeman effect, the crossings between these flavor-polarized Hofstadter spectra are magnetic-field-dependent, causing certain CCI states to emerge only above a critical field. This is the main mechanism underlying the critical field phenomenon of the CCI states observed in experiments. Our theory provides a clear and unified physical picture for the correlated Hofstadter spectrum in MATBG.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Quantum Geometric Origin of Orbital Magnetization

The exploration of the Riemannian structure of the Hilbert space has led to the concept of quantum geometry, comprising geometric quantities exemplified by Berry curvature and quantum metric. While this framework has profoundly advanced the understanding of various electronic phenomena, its potential for illuminating magnetic phenomena has remained less explored. In this Perspective, we highlight how quantum geometry paves a new way for understanding magnetization within a single-particle framework. We first elucidate the geometric origin of equilibrium magnetization in the modern theory of magnetization, then discuss the role of quantum geometry in kinetic magnetization, and finally outline promising future directions at the frontier of quantum geometric magnetization.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Fractional High-Chern Insulator in Twisted Rhombohedral Graphene

The realization of fractional Chern insulators opens up the possibility of exploring fractionally charged excitations and anyonic statistics in the absence of a magnetic field. A central question is whether lattice-based systems can give rise to radically new states, distinct from those observed in traditional fractional quantum Hall systems. In this work, we investigate a new type of moir\'e flat band system composed of Bernal bilayer graphene and rhombohedral tetralayer graphene. We discover an unprecedented richness of quantum anomalous Hall insulators with Chern numbers from C = 1 to C = 7 at v = 1 and around v = 3. Remarkably, we observe an exotic fractional Chern insulator with C = 7/3 around v = 2/3 which is beyond all known fractional Chern insulators described by either the Jain sequence or current high Chern theory. Our work expands the understanding of fractionally charged excitations beyond the Landau level basis and offers a new moire platform for exploring anyons.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Revisiting the Broken Symmetry Phase of Solid Hydrogen: A Neural Network Variational Monte Carlo Study

The crystal structure of high-pressure solid hydrogen remains a fundamental open problem. Although the research frontier has mostly shifted toward ultra-high pressure phases above 400 GPa, we show that even the broken symmetry phase observed around 130~GPa requires revisiting due to its intricate coupling of electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom. Here, we develop a first principle quantum Monte Carlo framework based on a deep neural network wave function that treats both electrons and nuclei quantum mechanically within the constant pressure ensemble. Our calculations reveal an unreported ground-state structure candidate for the broken symmetry phase with $Cmcm$ space group symmetry, and we test its stability up to 96 atoms. The predicted structure quantitatively matches the experimental equation of state and X-ray diffraction patterns. Furthermore, our group-theoretical analysis shows that the $Cmcm$ structure is compatible with existing Raman and infrared spectroscopic data. Crucially, static density functional theory calculation reveals the $Cmcm$ structure as a dynamically unstable saddle point on the Born-Oppenheimer potential energy surface, demonstrating that a full quantum many-body treatment of the problem is necessary. These results shed new light on the phase diagram of high-pressure hydrogen and call for further experimental verifications.

cond-mat.str-el

Shot noise signatures identifying non-Abelian properties of Jackiw-Rebbi zero modes

Jackiw-Rebbi zero modes were first proposed in 1976 as topologically protected zero-energy states localized at domain walls in one-dimensional Dirac systems. They have attracted widespread attention in the field of topological quantum computing, as they serve as non-superconducting analogs of Majorana zero modes and support non-Abelian statistics in topological insulator systems. %In the braiding process of the Jackiw-Rebbi zero modes, their braiding properties are closely related to the strength of disorder. However, compared to their Majorana cousins, the braiding properties of Jackiw-Rebbi zero modes are vulnerable to the on-site energy deviation between the modes involved in the experiment. In this work, we propose to estimate the braiding properties of Jackiw-Rebbi zero-modes through measurements of transport signatures, which are readily measurable in current experiments. We find that the fidelity of braiding operation reaches unity when the current noise is fully suppressed, while this braiding fidelity monotonously decreases with the increasing of the current noise. Based on these transport signatures, we further discuss the correspondence between Majorana and Jackiw-Rebbi zero modes, highlighting their similarity in supporting non-Abelian statistics.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Giant field-tunable nonlinear Hall effect by Lorentz skew scattering in a graphene moire superlattice

The nonlinear Hall effect (NHE) can enable rectification and energy harvesting, and its control by external fields, including gate, strain and magnetic field, has been pursued intensively. However, existing tuning pathways rely predominantly on fully quantum mechanical effects and are typically inefficient, resulting in weak NHE signals that limit further progress. In this work, we report the discovery of a distinct type of NHE in a graphene-hBN moire superlattice, which arises from a classical-quantum cooperative effect called Lorentz skew scattering (LSK), induced by a perpendicular magnetic field. This field-driven NHE exhibits a linear dependence on magnetic field and a pronounced unidirectional angular dependence. Remarkably, its magnitude reaches up to 32% of the linear Hall signal. We show that this giant, field-tunable NHE originating from LSK follows a unique quartic scaling law and produces a record-high nonlinear Hall conductivity (36000 {\mu}mV-1{\Omega}-1) near van Hove singularities of moire minibands, which is over an order of magnitude larger than all previously reported NHEs. Our findings establish an efficient, magnetic-field-driven route to giant Hall rectification in high-mobility materials, offering a broadly applicable paradigm for modulating the NHE beyond electrostatic gating.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Identifying geometric third-order nonlinear transport in disordered materials

In nonlinear transport, the quantum-geometric effects can generate higher-harmonic voltages in response to a driving current, which has defined a fast-moving field of intense interest. However, in realistic materials where disorder scattering also contributes to nonlinear transport, identifying the geometric mechanisms remains a challenge. In particular, a theoretical framework for data analysis is still lacking for nonlinear transport at any order. Here, we develop a mechanism-resolved and symmetry-guided framework for identifying mechanisms of third-order nonlinear transport in disordered materials. We find a total of 20 mechanisms of third-order nonlinear transport, by treating quantum-geometric and disorder-mediated mechanisms on an equal footing. More importantly, we propose a protocol of data analysis that combines symmetry diagnosis of magnetic point groups and scaling law of relation between the third-order nonlinear Hall conductivity and linear longitudinal conductivity. We identify characteristic fingerprints in the scaling-law weights, which allow the mechanisms to be quantitatively distinguished in experiments. We have applied the protocol to identify the geometric mechanisms in materials with and without time-reversal symmetry, including 2D materials, topological materials, and altermagnets. The theory can be generalized to arbitrary orders of nonlinear transport, further promoting nonlinear transport as a probe of geometric effects and phase transitions in quantum materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall