Vortex Pinning and Non-Hermitian Quantum Mechanics
Abstract
A delocalization phenomenon is studied in a class of non-Hermitian random quantum-mechanical problems. Delocalization arises in response to a sufficiently large constant imaginary vector potential. The transition is related to depinning of flux lines from extended defects in type-II superconductors subject to a tilted external magnetic field. The physical meaning of the complex eigenvalues and currents of the non-Hermitian system is elucidated in terms of properties of tilted vortex lines. The singular behavior of the penetration length describing stretched exponential screening of a perpendicular magnetic field (transverse Meissner effect), the surface transverse magnetization, and the trapping length are determined near the flux-line depinning point.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/9705290,
title = {Vortex Pinning and Non-Hermitian Quantum Mechanics},
author = {Naomichi Hatano and David R. Nelson},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/9705290},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
2-column 27-pages RevTex file with 35 eps figure files embedded. Minor errors amended. To be published in Phys. Rev. B