Edge-State Oscillations in a One-Dimensional Topological Chain with Dissipative Couplings

Abstract

The edge states in a one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) chain have been extensively studied for their topologically protected properties when there are onsite dissipations induced by independent environments. We here show that common environments shared by nearest neighboring sites in the SSH chain can result in dissipative couplings between sites, and thus change the topologically trivial phase to a nontrivial one. In contrast to usual hybridization of two edge states in the SSH chain with finite size, we find that the dissipative couplings result in oscillations of these hybridized edge states, which are similar to those of Majorana modes in the semiconductor-superconductor nanowire. The parameter for controlling the topological phase of the SSH chain plays the role of the magnetic field in a nanowire for controlling Majorana oscillation. A measurement method for oscillations is proposed. Our study provides a useful way to manipulate and ascertain edge states, and is experimentally feasible within current technology of superconducting quantum circuits.