Localization assisted and degraded topological order

by Dganit Meidan

Ben-Gurion University

at Physics Colloquium

Mon, 31 May 2021, 16:10
Zoom

Abstract

Topological insulators (TI) are an exotic state of quantum matter, distinct from ordinary insulators in that while their bulk cannot conduct electricity, their surface supports conducting states. TI’s provide new platforms for exploring fundamental science questions, and hold promise for a multitude of applications including the possibility to encode and manipulate quantum information in a way that is inherently protected against decoherence.
In this talk I will address a recent conjecture which suggests that the stability of such quantum memory devices can be enhanced due to disorder-induced localization. This notion has been called localization-protected topological-order and its consequences could be far-reaching, allowing for topological quantum processors that can be operated at high temperatures. We conduct a numerical study of the effect of disorder on the stability of the many body zero mode in a Kitaev chain with local interactions. We find that disorder can both enhance and degrade topological order. We further identify a regime of parameter space where topological superconductivity coexists together with a significant violation of Eigenstate-Thermalisation-Hypothesis.

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Created on 26-05-2021 by Kats, Yevgeny (katsye)
Updaded on 26-05-2021 by Kats, Yevgeny (katsye)