Critical phase boundary and finite-size fluctuations in the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model with random intercell couplings

Abstract

A dimerized fermion chain, described by Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model, is a well-known example of 1D system with a non-trivial band topology. An interplay of disorder and topological ordering in the SSH model is of a great interest owing to experimental advancements in synthesized quantum simulators. In this work, we investigate a special sort of a disorder when inter-cell hopping amplitudes are random. Using a definition for $\mathbb{Z}_2$-topological invariant $\nu\in \{ 0; 1\}$ in terms of a non-Hermitian part of the total Hamiltonian, we calculate $\langle\nu\rangle$ averaged by random realizations. This allows to find (i) an analytical form of the critical surface that separates phases of distinct topological orders and (ii) finite size fluctuations of $\nu$ for arbitrary disorder strength. Numerical simulations of the edge modes formation and gap suppression at the transition are provided for finite-size system. In the end, we discuss a band-touching condition derived within the averaged Green function method for a thermodynamic limit.