Detecting topological transitions in two dimensions by Hamiltonian evolution
Quantum Gases
2017-11-16 v2
Abstract
We show that the evolution of two-component particles governed by a two-dimensional spin-orbit lattice Hamiltonian can reveal transitions between topological phases. A kink in the mean width of the particle distribution signals the closing of the band gap, a prerequisite for a quantum phase transition between topological phases. Furthermore, for realistic and experimentally motivated Hamiltonians the density profile in topologically non-trivial phases displays characteristic rings in the vicinity of the origin that are absent in trivial phases. The results are expected to have immediate application to systems of ultracold atoms and photonic lattices.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1707.01839,
title = {Detecting topological transitions in two dimensions by Hamiltonian evolution},
author = {Wei-Wei Zhang and Barry C. Sanders and Simon Apers and Sandeep K. Goyal and David L. Feder},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1707.01839},
year = {2017}
}
Comments
Ref. [12] fixed; updates in response to referee comments