Topological delocalization of two-dimensional massless Dirac fermions

The beta function of a two-dimensional massless Dirac Hamiltonian subject to a random scalar potential, which e.g., underlies the theoretical description of graphene, is computed numerically. Although it belongs to, from a symmetry standpoint, the two-dimensional symplectic class, the beta function monotonically increases with decreasing $g$. We also provide an argument based on the spectral flows under twisting boundary conditions, which shows that none of states of the massless Dirac Hamiltonian can be localized.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Interacting topological phases and modular invariance

We discuss a (2+1) dimensional topological superconductor with $N_f$ left- and right-moving Majorana edge modes and a $\mathbb{Z}_2\times \mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry. In the absence of interactions, these phases are distinguished by an integral topological invariant $N_f$. With interactions, the edge state in the case $N_f=8$ is unstable against interactions, and a $\mathbb{Z}_2\times \mathbb{Z}_2$ invariant mass gap can be generated dynamically. We show that this phenomenon is closely related to the modular invariance of type II superstring theory. More generally, we show that the global gravitational anomaly of the non-chiral Majorana edge states is the physical manifestation of the bulk topological superconductors classified by $\mathbb{Z}_8$.Comment: 11 page

Superconductivity and Abelian Chiral Anomalies

Motivated by the geometric character of spin Hall conductance, the topological invariants of generic superconductivity are discussed based on the Bogoliuvov-de Gennes equation on lattices. They are given by the Chern numbers of degenerate condensate bands for unitary order, which are realizations of Abelian chiral anomalies for non-Abelian connections. The three types of Chern numbers for the $x,y$ and $z$-directions are given by covering degrees of some doubled surfaces around the Dirac monopoles. For nonunitary states, several topological invariants are defined by analyzing the so-called $q$-helicity. Topological origins of the nodal structures of superconducting gaps are also discussed.Comment: An example with a figure and discussions are supplemente

Spin Berry phase in the Fermi arc states

Unusual electronic property of a Weyl semi-metallic nanowire is revealed. Its band dispersion exhibits multiple subbands of partially flat dispersion, originating from the Fermi arc states. Remarkably, the lowest energy flat subbands bear a finite size energy gap, implying that electrons in the Fermi arc surface states are susceptible of the spin Berry phase. This is shown to be a consequence of spin-to-surface locking in the surface electronic states. We verify this behavior and the existence of spin Berry phase in the low-energy effective theory of Fermi arc surface states on a cylindrical nanowire by deriving the latter from a bulk Weyl Hamiltonian. We point out that in any surface state exhibiting a spin Berry phase pi, a zero-energy bound state is formed along a magnetic flux tube of strength, hc/(2e). This effect is highlighted in a surfaceless bulk system pierced by a dislocation line, which shows a 1D chiral mode along the dislocation line.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figure

Field-driven topological glass transition in a model flux line lattice

We show that the flux line lattice in a model layered HTSC becomes unstable above a critical magnetic field with respect to a plastic deformation via penetration of pairs of point-like disclination defects. The instability is characterized by the competition between the elastic and the pinning energies and is essentially assisted by softening of the lattice induced by a dimensional crossover of the fluctuations as field increases. We confirm through a computer simulation that this indeed may lead to a phase transition from crystalline order at low fields to a topologically disordered phase at higher fields. We propose that this mechanism provides a model of the low temperature field--driven disordering transition observed in neutron diffraction experiments on ${\rm Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8\, }$ single crystals.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures available upon request via snail mail from [email protected]

Singular Density of States of Disordered Dirac Fermions in the Chiral Models

The Dirac fermion in the random chiral models is studied which includes the random gauge field model and the random hopping model. We focus on a connection between continuum and lattice models to give a clear perspective for the random chiral models. Two distinct structures of density of states (DoS) around zero energy, one is a power-law dependence on energy in the intermediate energy range and the other is a diverging one at zero energy, are revealed by an extensive numerical study for large systems up to $250\times 250$. For the random hopping model, our finding of the diverging DoS within very narrow energy range reconciles previous inconsistencies between the lattice and the continuum models.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Topological Origin of Zero-Energy Edge States in Particle-Hole Symmetric Systems

A criterion to determine the existence of zero-energy edge states is discussed for a class of particle-hole symmetric Hamiltonians. A ``loop'' in a parameter space is assigned for each one-dimensional bulk Hamiltonian, and its topological properties, combined with the chiral symmetry, play an essential role. It provides a unified framework to discuss zero-energy edge modes for several systems such as fully gapped superconductors, two-dimensional d-wave superconductors, and graphite ribbons. A variants of the Peierls instability caused by the presence of edges is also discussed.Comment: Completely rewritten. Discussions on coexistence of is- or id_{xy}-wave order parameter near edges in d_{x^{2}-y^{2}}-wave superconductors are added; 4 pages, 3 figure

Three-dimensional structures of the tracheal systems of Anopheles sinensis and Aedes togoi pupae

Mosquitoes act as a vector for the transmission of disease. The World Health Organization has recommended strict control of mosquito larvae because of their few, fixed, and findable features. The respiratory system of mosquito larvae and pupae in the water has a weak point. As aquatic organisms, mosquito larvae and pupae inhale atmosphere oxygen. However, the mosquito pupae have a non-feeding stage, unlike the larvae. Therefore, detailed study on the tracheal system of mosquito pupae is helpful for understanding their survival strategy. In this study, the three-dimensional (3D) structures of the tracheal systems of Anopheles sinensis and Aedes togoi pupae were comparatively investigated using synchrotron X-ray microscopic computed tomography. The respiratory frequencies of the dorsal trunks were also investigated. Interestingly, the pupae of the two mosquito species possess special tracheal systems of which the morphological and functional features are distinctively different. The respiratory frequency of Ae. togoi is higher than that of An. sinensis. These differences in the breathing phenomena and 3D structures of the respiratory systems of these two mosquito species provide an insight into the tracheal systems of mosquito pupae. ? 2017 The Author(s).111Ysciescopu

Entanglement entropy and the Berry phase in solid states

The entanglement entropy (von Neumann entropy) has been used to characterize the complexity of many-body ground states in strongly correlated systems. In this paper, we try to establish a connection between the lower bound of the von Neumann entropy and the Berry phase defined for quantum ground states. As an example, a family of translational invariant lattice free fermion systems with two bands separated by a finite gap is investigated. We argue that, for one dimensional (1D) cases, when the Berry phase (Zak's phase) of the occupied band is equal to $\pi \times ({odd integer})$ and when the ground state respects a discrete unitary particle-hole symmetry (chiral symmetry), the entanglement entropy in the thermodynamic limit is at least larger than $\ln 2$ (per boundary), i.e., the entanglement entropy that corresponds to a maximally entangled pair of two qubits. We also discuss this lower bound is related to vanishing of the expectation value of a certain non-local operator which creates a kink in 1D systems.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, new references adde

First-Order Melting of a Moving Vortex Lattice: Effects of Disorder

We study the melting of a moving vortex lattice through numerical simulations with the current driven 3D XY model with disorder. We find that there is a first-order phase transition even for large disorder when the corresponding equilibrium transition is continuous. The low temperature phase is an anisotropic moving glass.Comment: Important changes from original version. Finite size analysis of results has been added. Figure 2 has been changed. There is a new additional Figure. To be published in Physical Review Letter