A class of exactly solvable models for the Schrodinger equation

We present a class of confining potentials which allow one to reduce the one-dimensional Schroodinger equation to a named equation of mathematical physics, namely either Bessel's or Whittaker's differential equation. In all cases, we provide closed form expressions for both the symmetric and antisymmetric wavefunction solutions, each along with an associated transcendental equation for allowed eigenvalues. The class of potentials considered contains an example of both cusp-like single wells and a double-well.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figure

Localization of massless Dirac particles via spatial modulations of the Fermi velocity

The electrons found in Dirac materials are notorious for being difficult to manipulate due to the Klein phenomenon and absence of backscattering. Here we investigate how spatial modulations of the Fermi velocity in two-dimensional Dirac materials can give rise to localization effects, with either full (zero-dimensional) confinement or partial (one-dimensional) confinement possible depending on the geometry of the velocity modulation. We present several exactly solvable models illustrating the nature of the bound states which arise, revealing how the gradient of the Fermi velocity is crucial for determining fundamental properties of the bound states such as the zero-point energy. We discuss the implications for guiding electronic waves in few-mode waveguides formed by Fermi velocity modulation.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

One-dimensional Coulomb problem in Dirac materials

We investigate the one-dimensional Coulomb potential with application to a class of quasirelativistic systems, so-called Dirac-Weyl materials, described by matrix Hamiltonians. We obtain the exact solution of the shifted and truncated Coulomb problems, with the wavefunctions expressed in terms of special functions (namely Whittaker functions), whilst the energy spectrum must be determined via solutions to transcendental equations. Most notably, there are critical bandgaps below which certain low-lying quantum states are missing in a manifestation of atomic collapse.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Massless Dirac fermions in two dimensions: Confinement in nonuniform magnetic fields

We show how it is possible to trap two-dimensional massless Dirac fermions in spatially inhomogeneous magnetic fields, as long as the formed magnetic quantum dot (or ring) is of a slowly decaying nature. It is found that a modulation of the depth of the magnetic quantum dot leads to successive confinement-deconfinement transitions of vortexlike states with a certain angular momentum, until a regime is reached where only states with one sign of angular momentum are supported. We illustrate these characteristics with both exact solutions and a hitherto unknown quasi-exactly solvable model utilizing confluent Heun functions.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Bielectron vortices in two-dimensional Dirac semimetals

Searching for new states of matter and unusual quasiparticles in emerging materials and especially low-dimensional systems is one of the major trends in contemporary condensed matter physics. Dirac materials, which host quasiparticles which are described by ultrarelativistic Dirac-like equations, are of a significant current interest from both a fundamental and applied physics perspective. Here we show that a pair of two-dimensional massless Dirac-Weyl fermions can form a bound state independently of the sign of the inter-particle interaction potential, as long as this potential decays at large distances faster than Kepler's inverse distance law. This leads to the emergence of a new type of energetically-favourable quasiparticle: bielectron vortices, which are double-charged and reside at zero-energy. Their bosonic nature allows for condensation and may give rise to Majorana physics without invoking a superconductor. These novel quasiparticles arguably explain a range of poorly understood experiments in gated graphene structures at low doping.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figure

Optimal traps in graphene

We transform the two-dimensional Dirac-Weyl equation, which governs the charge carriers in graphene, into a non-linear first-order differential equation for scattering phase shift, using the so-called variable phase method. This allows us to utilize the Levinson Theorem to find zero-energy bound states created electrostatically in realistic structures. These confined states are formed at critical potential strengths, which leads to us posit the use of `optimal traps' to combat the chiral tunneling found in graphene, which could be explored experimentally with an artificial network of point charges held above the graphene layer. We also discuss scattering on these states and find the zero angular momentum states create a dominant peak in scattering cross-section as energy tends towards the Dirac point energy, suggesting a dominant contribution to resistivity.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Perfect State Transfer: Beyond Nearest-Neighbor Couplings

In this paper we build on the ideas presented in previous works for perfectly transferring a quantum state between opposite ends of a spin chain using a fixed Hamiltonian. While all previous studies have concentrated on nearest-neighbor couplings, we demonstrate how to incorporate additional terms in the Hamiltonian by solving an Inverse Eigenvalue Problem. We also explore issues relating to the choice of the eigenvalue spectrum of the Hamiltonian, such as the tolerance to errors and the rate of information transfer.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures. Reorganised, more detailed derivations provided and section on rate of information transfer adde

Energetics of a pulsed quantum battery

The challenge of storing energy efficiently and sustainably is highly prominent within modern scientific investigations. Due to the ongoing trend of miniaturization, the design of expressly quantum storage devices is itself a crucial task within current quantum technological research. Here we provide a transparent analytic model of a two-component quantum battery, composed of a charger and an energy holder, which is driven by a short laser pulse. We provide simple expressions for the energy stored in the battery, the maximum amount of work which can be extracted, both the instantaneous and the average powers, and the relevant charging times. This allows us to discuss explicitly the optimal design of the battery in terms of the driving strength of the pulse, the coupling between the charger and the holder, and the inevitable energy loss into the environment. We anticipate that our theory can act as a helpful guide for the nascent experimental work building and characterizing the first generation of truly quantum batteries.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Doublons, topology and interactions in a one-dimensional lattice

We investigate theoretically the Bose-Hubbard version of the celebrated Su-Schrieffer-Heeger topological model, which essentially describes a one-dimensional dimerized array of coupled oscillators with on-site interactions. We study the physics arising from the whole gamut of possible dimerizations of the chain, including both the weakly and the strongly dimerized limiting cases. Focusing on two-excitation subspace, we systematically uncover and characterize the different types of states which may emerge due to the competition between the inter-oscillator couplings, the intrinsic topology of the lattice, and the strength of the on-site interactions. In particular, we discuss the formation of scattering bands full of extended states, bound bands full of two-particle pairs (including so-called `doublons', when the pair occupies the same lattice site), and different flavors of topological edge states. The features we describe may be realized in a plethora of systems, including nanoscale architectures such as photonic cavities and optical lattices, and provide perspectives for topological many-body physics.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figure