arXiv subjects

Xiang Hu

Publications and source records attributed to Xiang Hu.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Topological insulators and fractional quantum Hall effect on the ruby lattice

We study a tight-binding model on the two-dimensional ruby lattice. This lattice supports several types of first and second neighbor spin-dependent hopping parameters in an $s$-band model that preserves time-reversal symmetry. We discuss the phase diagram of this model for various values of the hopping parameters and filling fractions, and note an interesting competition between spin-orbit terms that individually would drive the system to a $Z_2$ topological insulating phase. We also discuss a closely related spin-polarized model with only first and second neighbor hoppings and show that extremely flat bands with finite Chern numbers result, with a ratio of the band gap to the band width approximately 70. Such flat bands are an ideal platform to realize a fractional quantum Hall effect at appropriate filling fractions. The ruby lattice can be possibly engineered in optical lattices, and may open the door to studies of transitions between quantum spin liquids, topological insulators, and integer and fractional quantum Hall states.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Impurity effect as a probe for order parameter symmetry in iron-based superconductors

The pointlike impurity scattering is studied for a superconductor with different pairing symmetries based on a minimal two band model proposed by S. Raghu $et$ $al.$ [Phys. Rev. B {\bf 77}, R220503 (2008)], and the self-consistent Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. Two intra-gap resonance peaks are found at or near the nonmagnetic impurity site for a typical $s_{x^2y^2}$ symmetry and strong scattering potentials. Such intra-gap resonance peaks are absent for the sign unchanged s-wave and $d_{x^2-y^2}$-wave order parameter. Thus we propose that a non-magnetic impurity with strong scattering potentials can be used to probe the pairing symmetry in iron-based superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Vortex core states in a minimal two-band model for iron-based superconductors

The pairing symmetry is one of the major issues in the study of iron-based superconductors. We adopt a minimal two-band tight-binding model with various channels of pairing interaction, and derive a set of two-band Bogoliubov-de Gennes (BdG) equations. The BdG equations are implemented in real space and then solved self-consistently via exact diagonalization. In the uniform case, we find that the $d_{x^2-y^2}$-wave pairing state is most favorable for a nearest-neighbor pairing interaction while the $s_{x^2y^2}$-wave pairing state is most favorable for a next-nearest-neighbor pairing interaction. The is consistent with that reported by Seo {\em et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 101}, 206404 (2008)]. We then proceed to study the local electronic structure around a magnetic vortex core for both $d_{x^2-y^2}$-wave and $s_{x^2y^2}$-wave pairing symmetry in the mixed state. It is found from the local density of states (LDOS) spectra and its spatial variation that the resonance core states near the Fermi energy for the $d_{x^2-y^2}$-wave pairing symmetry are bound while those for the $s_{x^2y^2}$-wave pairing symmetry can evolve from the localized states into extended ones with varying electron filling factor. Furthermore, by including an effective exchange interaction, the emergent antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave (SDW) order can suppress the resonance core states, which provides one possible avenue to understand the absence of resonance peak as revealed by recent scanning tunneling microscopy experiment (STM) by Yin {\em et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 102}, 097002 (2009)].

cond-mat.supr-con↗