Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)

Abstract: Quantum devices characterized by non-Hermitian topology are predicted to show highly robust and potentially useful properties, but realizing them has remained a daunting experimental task. This is because non-Hermiticity is often associated with gain and loss, which would require precise tailoring to produce the signatures of nontrivial topology. Here, instead of gain/loss, we use the nonreciprocity of the quantum Hall edge states to directly observe non-Hermitian topology in a multi-terminal quantum Hall ring. Our transport measurements evidence a robust, non-Hermitian skin effect: currents and voltages show an exponential profile, which persists also across Hall plateau transitions away from the regime of maximum non-reciprocity. Our observation of non-Hermitian topology in a quantum device introduces a scalable experimental approach to construct and investigate generic non-Hermitian systems.

Abstract: We reveal the role of the spin variables' zero-point fluctuations (ZPFs) on the stability of Bloch point (BP) singularities. As topological solitons, BPs are important in topological transitions in nanomagnets. BPs present a singularity at their core, where the long-length-scale approximation fails. We found that ZPFs bloom nearby this core, reducing the effective magnetic moment and increasing the BP's stability. As suggested by classical models, the magnonic eigenmodes found by our methods fit with the bound state of an electron surrounding a dyon, with a magnetic and an electric charge.

Abstract: Cyclic voltammetry (CV) is a powerful technique for characterizing electrochemical properties of electrochemical devices. During charging-discharging cycles, thermal effect has profound impact on its performance, but existing theoretical models cannot clarify such intrinsic mechanism and often give poor prediction. Herein, we propose an interfacial model for the electro-thermal coupling, based on fundamentals in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. By incorporating molecular interactions, our model shows a quantitative agreement with experimental measurements. The integral capacitance shows a first enhanced then decayed trend against the applied heat bath temperature. Such a relation is attributed to the competition between electrical attraction and Born repulsion via dielectric inhomogeneity, which is rarely understood in previous models. In addition, as evidenced in recent experimental CV tests, our model predicts the non-monotonic dependence of the capacitance on the bulk electrolyte density, further demonstrating its high accuracy. This work demonstrates a potential pathway towards next-generation thermal regulation of electrochemical devices.

Abstract: In connection to the chirality induced spin-selectivity (CISS) effect, we theoretically analyze the electron state of edges of a finite $p$-orbital helical atomic chain with the intra-atomic spin orbit interaction (SOI). This model can host the spin-filtering state in which two up spins propagate in one direction and two down spins propagate in the opposite direction without breaking the time-reversal symmetry. We found that this model can exhibit the enhancement of charge density concentrated at the edges due to the evanescent states induced by the spin and orbital flip by the SOI. Although the spin density is absent because of the time reversal symmetry of the SOI, the charge concentration at the edges may play a role in the enantioselective adsorption of CISS molecules on the ferromagnetic surface.

Abstract: The role and impact of spatial heterogeneity in two-dimensional quantum materials represents one of the major research quests regarding the future application of these materials in optoelectronics and quantum information science. In the case of transition-metal dichalcogenide heterostructures, in particular, direct access to heterogeneities in the dark-exciton landscape with nanometer spatial and ultrafast time resolution is highly desired, but remains largely elusive. Here, we introduce ultrafast dark field momentum microscopy to spatio-temporally resolve dark exciton formation dynamics in a twisted WSe$_2$/MoS$_2$ heterostructure with 55 femtosecond time- and 500~nm spatial resolution. This allows us to directly map spatial heterogeneity in the electronic and excitonic structure, and to correlate these with the dark exciton formation and relaxation dynamics. The benefits of simultaneous ultrafast nanoscale dark-field momentum microscopy and spectroscopy is groundbreaking for the present study, and opens the door to new types of experiments with unprecedented spectroscopic and spatiotemporal capabilities.

Abstract: Topological interface states in periodic lattices have emerged as valuable assets in the fields of electronics, photonics, and phononics, owing to their inherent robustness against disorder. Unlike electronics and photonics, the linear dispersion relation of hypersound offers an ideal framework for investigating higher-order bandgaps. In this work, we propose a design strategy for the generation and manipulation of topological nanophononic interface states within high-order bandgaps of GaAs/AlAs multilayered structures. These states arise from the band inversion of two concatenated superlattices that exhibit inverted spatial mode symmetries around the bandgap. By adjusting the thickness ratio of the unit cells in these superlattices, we are able to engineer interface states in different bandgaps, enabling the development of versatile topological devices spanning a wide frequency range. Moreover, we demonstrate that such interface states can also be generated in hybrid structures that combine two superlattices with bandgaps of different orders centered around the same frequency. These structures open up new avenues for exploring topological confinement in high-order bandgaps, providing a unique platform for unveiling and better understanding complex topological systems.

Abstract: We study the non equilibrium Casimir-Lifshitz force between graphene-based parallel structures held at different temperatures and in presence of an external thermal bath at a third temperature. The graphene conductivity, which is itself a function of temperature, as well as of chemical potential, allows us to tune in situ the Casimir-Lifshitz force. We explore different non equilibrium configurations while considering different values of the graphene chemical potential. Particularly interesting cases are investigated, where the force can change sign going from attractive to repulsive or where the force becomes non monotonic with respect to chemical potential variations, contrary to the behaviour under thermal equilibrium.

Abstract: The unique band structure in topological materials frequently results in unusual magneto-transport phenomena, one of which is in-plane longitudinal negative magnetoresistance (NMR) with the magnetic field aligned parallel to the electrical current direction. This NMR is widely considered as a hallmark of chiral anomaly in topological materials. Here we report the observation of in-plane NMR in the topological material ZrTe5 when the in-plane magnetic field is both parallel and perpendicular to the current direction, revealing an unusual case of quantum transport beyond the chiral anomaly. We find that a general theoretical model, which considers the combined effect of Berry curvature and orbital moment, can quantitatively explain this in-plane NMR. Our results provide new insights into the understanding of in-plane NMR in topological materials.

Abstract: We derive new bounds to the thermodynamic uncertainty relations (TURs) in the linear-response regime for steady-state transport in two-terminal systems when time reversal symmetry (TRS) is broken. We find that such bounds are different for charge and heat currents and depend on the details of the system, through the Onsager coefficients, and on the ratio between applied voltage and temperature difference. As a function of such a ratio, the bounds can take any positive values. The bounds are then calculated for a hybrid coherent superconducting system using the scattering approach, and the concrete case of an Andreev interferometer is explored. Interestingly, we find that the bound on the charge current is always smaller than 2 when the system operates as a heat engine, while the bound on the heat current is always larger than 2 when the system operates as a refrigerator.

Abstract: We propose an analytical formulation for the Scanning Gate Microscopy (SGM) response to local tips with arbitrary strength in two dimensional nanostructures. The real space resolved conductance is expressed in terms of the unperturbed quantities underlying the scattering problem. Providing a non-dynamical approach for obtaining the SGM maps, the proposed expression enables for a significant reduction in the computational cost of SGM response calculations. This feature is particularly advantageous for deep learning-based approaches which have been recently proposed for accessing local properties and disorder landscapes from conductance measurements. This opens up new possibilities for the SGM technique and holds exciting prospects for quantum transport. Further, the formula's versatility extends beyond this specific application, offering a straightforward and computationally efficient method for obtaining the SGM response in a more general context.