Condensed Matter Theory Seminar - Alex Kamenev (University of Minnesota), "Quantum criticality of 1D topological Anderson insulators"

CMT Seminar Speaker - Alex Kamenev, University of Minnesota
April 13, 2015
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Smith Seminar Room (1080 PRB)

Date Range
2015-04-13 11:30:00 2015-04-13 12:30:00 Condensed Matter Theory Seminar - Alex Kamenev (University of Minnesota), "Quantum criticality of 1D topological Anderson insulators" I will talk about recent analytical understanding of quantum criticality in quasi one-dimensional topological Anderson insulators. We describe these systems in terms of two-parameter effective theory representing localization and topological properties, respectively.  Certain critical values of  the second parameter define phase boundaries between distinct  topological sectors. Upon increasing system size, the two parameters  exhibit flow similar to the celebrated two parameter flow of the  integer quantum Hall insulator. However, unlike the quantum Hall  system, an exact analytical description of the entire phase diagram  can be given in terms of the transfer-matrix solution of corresponding  supersymmetric non-linear sigma-models. In Z2 classes we uncover a  hidden supersymmetry, present at the quantum critical point. Smith Seminar Room (1080 PRB) America/New_York public

I will talk about recent analytical understanding of quantum criticality in quasi one-dimensional topological Anderson insulators. We describe these systems in terms of two-parameter effective theory representing localization and topological properties, respectively. 

Certain critical values of  the second parameter define phase boundaries between distinct  topological sectors. Upon increasing system size, the two parameters  exhibit flow similar to the celebrated two parameter flow of the  integer quantum Hall insulator. However, unlike the quantum Hall  system, an exact analytical description of the entire phase diagram  can be given in terms of the transfer-matrix solution of corresponding  supersymmetric non-linear sigma-models. In Z2 classes we uncover a  hidden supersymmetry, present at the quantum critical point.