On Isospectral Deformations of an Inhomogeneous String

For an anyon model in two spatial dimensions described by a modular tensor category, the topological S-matrix encodes the mutual braiding statistics, the quantum dimensions, and the fusion rules of anyons. It is nontrivial whether one can compute the S-matrix from a single ground state wave function. Here, we define a class of Hamiltonians consisting of local commuting projectors and an associated matrix that is invariant under local unitary transformations. We argue that the invariant is equivalent to the topological S-matrix. The definition does not require degeneracy of the ground state. We prove that the invariant depends on the state only, in the sense that it can be computed by any Hamiltonian in the class of which the state is a ground state. As a corollary, we prove that any local quantum circuit that connects two ground states of quantum double models (discrete gauge theories) with non-isomorphic abelian groups must have depth that is at least linear in the system’s diameter. As a tool for the proof, a manifestly Hamiltonian-independent notion of locally invisible operators is introduced. This gives a sufficient condition for a many-body state not to be generated from a product state by any small depth quantum circuit; this is a many-body entanglement witness.     

A New Route to the Interpretation of Hopf Invariant

We discuss an object from algebraic topology, Hopf invariant, and reinterpret it in terms of the φ-mapping topological current theory. The main purpose of this paper is to present a new theoretical framework, which can directly give the relationship between Hopf invariant and the linking numbers of the higher dimensional submanifolds of Euclidean space R^2n-1. For the sake of this purpose we introduce a topological tensor current, which can naturally deduce the (n-1)-dimensional topological defect in R^2n-1 space. If these (n-1)-dimensional topological defects are closed oriented submanifolds of R^2n-1, they are just the (n-1)-dimensional knots. The linking number of these knots is well defined. Using the inner structure of the topological tensor current, the relationship between Hopf invariant and the linking numbers of the higher-dimensional knots can be constructed.     

基于张量网络算法的自旋梯子系统的弦序参量的研究

通过基于矩阵乘积态(MPS)的强关联电子量子自旋梯子格点系统的张量网络(TN)算法,摸索研究自旋梯子量子多体系统的弦序参量,探测系统的量子相变点,刻画系统的量子临界现象,获取系统的量子相图,这为我们提供了一个研究自旋梯子系统的量子多体物理性质强有力的工具和方法:在不知道系统是否缺乏Landau对称性破缺序或者系统是否存在相关的拓扑弦序的情况下,可以先得到系统的基态波函数,如果基态缺乏Landau对称性破缺序,或可以通过其它方式找出系统存在若干非局域的弦序参量,来完整地描述一些拓扑量子相变点,获得系统的量子相图,从而丰富和发展了传统的Landau对称性破缺的相变理论.     

Ring polymers in melts and solutions: scaling and crossover

We propose a simple mean-field theory for the structure of ring polymer melts. By combining the notion of topological volume fraction and a classical van der Waals theory of fluids, we take into account many-body effects of topological origin in dense systems. We predict that although the compact statistics with the Flory exponent ν=1/3 is realized for very long chains, most practical cases fall into the crossover regime with the apparent exponent ν?2/5 during which the system evolves toward a topological dense-packed limit.     

Thermodynamics and topology of disordered systems: Statistics of the random knot diagrams on finite lattices

The statistical properties of random lattice knots, the topology of which is determined by the algebraic topological Jones-Kauffman invariants, was studied by analytical and numerical methods. The Kauffman polynomial invariant of a random knot diagram was represented by a partition function of the Potts model with a random configuration of ferro-and antiferromagnetic bonds, which allowed the probability distribution of the random dense knots on a flat square lattice over topological classes to be studied. A topological class is characterized by the highest power of the Kauffman polynomial invariant and interpreted as the free energy of a q-component Potts spin system for q→∞. It is shown that the highest power of the Kauffman invariant correlates with the minimum energy of the corresponding Potts spin system. The probability of the lattice knot distribution over topological classes was studied by the method of transfer matrices, depending on the type of local junctions and the size of the flat knot diagram. The results obtained are compared to the probability distribution of the minimum energy of a Potts system with random ferro-and antiferromagnetic bonds.     

Link invariants of electromagnetic fields

The cross-helicity integral is known in fluid dynamics and plasma physics as a topological invariant which measures the mutual linkage of two divergence-free vector fields, e.g., magnetic fields, on a three-dimensional domain. Generalizing this concept, a new topological invariant is found which measures the mutual linkage of three closed two-forms, e.g., electromagnetic fields, on a four-dimensional domain. The integral is shown to detect a separation of the cross helicity between two of the fields with the help of the third field. It can be related to the triple linking number known in knot theory. Furthermore, it is shown that the well-known three-dimensional cross helicity and the new four-dimensional invariant are the first two examples of a series of topological invariants which are defined by n-1 field strengths F=dA on a simply connected n-dimensional manifold M(n).     

Z2 topological order and the quantum spin Hall effect

The quantum spin Hall (QSH) phase is a time reversal invariant electronic state with a bulk electronic band gap that supports the transport of charge and spin in gapless edge states. We show that this phase is associated with a novel Z2 topological invariant, which distinguishes it from an ordinary insulator. The Z2 classification, which is defined for time reversal invariant Hamiltonians, is analogous to the Chern number classification of the quantum Hall effect. We establish the Z2 order of the QSH phase in the two band model of graphene and propose a generalization of the formalism applicable to multiband and interacting systems.     

Formally exact quantum variational principles for collective motion based on the invariance principle of the Schrödinger equation

Utilizing the concept of invariant collective subspace of a many-body system (or invariance principle of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation), we derive a number of formally exact variational principles to characterize the subspace. Previous studies based on time-dependent or adiabatic time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory are, in principle, contained as approximations.     

两腿XXZ自旋梯子模型的量子相变与量子临界现象

对于无限大尺寸两腿自旋1/2的XXZ自旋梯子模型,通过运用基于随机行走的张量网络(TN)算法数值模拟出基态波函数,首次尝试研究自旋梯子模型的约化保真度、普适序参量、纠缠熵等物理观测量,并系统研究基态保真度的三维挤点与二维分叉、约化保真度的分叉、局域序参量、普适序参量、纠缠熵和量子相变之间存在的关联关系.基于张量网络表示的算法在任意随机选择初始状态时,可以得到两腿XXZ量子自旋梯子系统简并的对称破缺基态波函数,该基态波函数是由于Z2对称破缺引起的.本文期望所提供的方法可为进一步研究凝聚态物质中热力学极限下的强关联电子量子晶格自旋梯子系统的量子相变和量子临界现象提供一种更有效的强大的工具.     

Morse theory interpretation of topological quantum field theories

Topological quantum field theories are interpreted as a generalized form of Morse theory. This interpretation is applied to formulate the simplest topological quantum field theory: topological quantum mechanics. The only non-trivial topological invariant corresponding to this theory is computed and identified with the Euler characteristic. Using field theoretical methods this topological invariant is calculated in different ways and in the process a proof of the Gauss-Bonnet-Chern-Avez formula as well as some results of degenerate Morse theory are obtained.     

Computer calculation of Witten's 3-manifold invariant

Witten's 2+1 dimensional Chern-Simons theory is exactly solvable. We compute the partition function, a topological invariant of 3-manifolds, on generalized Seifert spaces. Thus we test the path integral using the theory of 3-manifolds. In particular, we compare the exact solution with the asymptotic formula predicted by perturbation theory. We conclude that this path integral works as advertised and gives an effective topological invariant.The first author is supported by NSF grant DMS-8805684, an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, and a Presidential Young Investigators award. The second author is supported by NSF grant DMS-8902153     

Vortex Lines and Monopoles in Electrically Conducting Plasmas

Based on the φ-mapping topological current theory and the decomposition of gauge potential theory, the vortex lines and the monopoles in electrically conducting plasmas are studied. It is pointed out that these two topological structures respectively inhere in two-dimensional and three-dimensional topological currents, which can be derived from the same topological term n^→·（Эin^→×Эjn^→）, and both these topological structures axe characterized by the φ-mapping topological numbers-Hopf indices and Brouwer degrees. Furthermore, the spatial bifurcation of vortex lines and the generation and annihilation of monopoles are also discussed. At last, we point out that the Hopf invaxiant is a proper topological invaxiant to describe the knotted solitons.     

Classifying novel phases of spinor atoms

We consider many-body states of bosonic spinor atoms which, at the mean-field level, can be characterized by a single-particle wave function for the Bose-Einstein condensation and Mott insulating states. We describe and apply a classification scheme that makes explicit the spin symmetries of such states and enables one to naturally analyze their collective modes and topological excitations. Quite generally, the method allows classification of a spin F system as a polyhedron with 2F vertices. We apply the method to the many-body states of bosons with spins two and three. For spin-two atoms we find the ferromagnetic state, a continuum of nematic states, and a state having the symmetry of the point group of the regular tetrahedron. For spin-three atoms we obtain similar ferromagnetic and nematic phases as well as states having symmetries of various types of polyhedra with six vertices.     

Topological Invariants in Terms of Green's Function for the Interacting Kitaev Chain

A one-dimensional closed interacting Kitaev chain and the dimerized version are studied. The topological invariants in terms of Green's function are calculated by the density matrix renormalization group method and the exact diagonalization method. For the interacting Kitaev chain, we point out that the calculation of the topological invariant in the charge density wave phase must consider the dimerized configuration of the ground states. The variation of the topological invariant is attributed to the poles of eigenvalues of the zero-frequency Green functions. For the interacting dimerized Kitaev chain, we show that the topological invariant defined by Green's functions can distinguish more topological nonequivalent phases than the fermion parity.     

Parity violation in a single domain of spin-triplet Sr2RuO4 superconductors

We observed an unconventional parity-violating vortex in single domain Sr₂RuO₄ single crystals using a transport measurement. The current–voltage characteristics of submicron Sr₂RuO₄ show that the induced voltage has anomalous components which are even functions of the bias current. The results may suggest that the vortex itself has a helical internal structure characterized by a Hopf invariant (a topological invariant). We also discuss that the hydrodynamics of such a helical vortex causes the parity violation to retain the topological invariant.     

Topological surface States in three-dimensional magnetic insulators

An electron moving in a magnetically ordered background feels an effective magnetic field that can be both stronger and more rapidly varying than typical externally applied fields. One consequence is that insulating magnetic materials in three dimensions can have topologically nontrivial properties of the effective band structure. For the simplest case of two bands, these "Hopf insulators" are characterized by a topological invariant as in quantum Hall states and Z2 topological insulators, but instead of a Chern number or parity, the underlying invariant is the Hopf invariant that classifies maps from the three-sphere to the two-sphere. This Letter gives an efficient algorithm to compute whether a given magnetic band structure has nontrivial Hopf invariant, a double-exchange-like tight-binding model that realizes the nontrivial case, and a numerical study of the surface states of this model.     

A fourth-order topological invariant of magnetic or vortex lines

A fourth-order topological invariant for non-dissipative magnetic or vortex configurations with zero helicity is constructed. It is an integral form of the two-link Sato-Levine topological invariant. Geometrically, the invariant is determined by the self-linking number of the curve of intersection of Seifert surfaces pulled on two linked flux tubes.     

Topological invariant for superfluid <Superscript>3</Superscript>He-B and quantum phase transitions

We consider topological invariant describing the vacuum states of superfluid ³He-B, which belongs to the special class of time-reversal invariant topological insulators and superfluids. Discrete symmetries important for classification of the topologically distinct vacuum states are discussed. One of them leads to the additional subclasses of ³He-B states and is responsible for the finite density of states of Majorana fermions living at some interfaces between the bulk states. Integer valued topological invariant is expressed in terms of the Green’s function, which allows us to consider systems with interaction.     

Topological quantization in units of the fine structure constant

Fundamental topological phenomena in condensed matter physics are associated with a quantized electromagnetic response in units of fundamental constants. Recently, it has been predicted theoretically that the time-reversal invariant topological insulator in three dimensions exhibits a topological magnetoelectric effect quantized in units of the fine structure constant α=e2/?c. In this Letter, we propose an optical experiment to directly measure this topological quantization phenomenon, independent of material details. Our proposal also provides a way to measure the half-quantized Hall conductances on the two surfaces of the topological insulator independently of each other.