non-Abelian Gauge Potential Research Articles

The non-Abelian bosonic quantum ring

We investigate the dynamics of a spinor Bose-Einstein condensate which is governed by an optically induced non-Abelian gauge potential. Using a ring shaped trap to confine the atoms and a hydrodynamic ansatz, nonlinear Josephson type equations are found to describe the system. The degenerate eigenstates which show rotation are solved exactly. We consider a homogenous filled ring and observe population dynamics between the two quasi-spin components but also space dependent Josephson oscillations. Stable mass currents can be observed which are induced by the constant non-Abelian effective magnetic field in the limit of weak interactions. For strong interactions the appearance of two-component dark soliton-like objects are observed.

Gauge-invariant formulation of spin-current density-functional theory

Spin-currents and non-Abelian gauge potentials in electronic systems can be treated by spin-current density-functional theory, whose main input is the exchange-correlation (xc) energy expressed as a functional of spin-currents. Constructing a functional of spin-currents that is invariant under $\text{U}(1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\text{SU}(2)$ transformations is a long-standing challenge. We solve the problem by expressing the energy as a functional of a variable we call ``invariant vorticity.'' As an illustration we construct the xc energy functional for a two-dimensional electron gas with linear spin-orbit coupling and show that it is proportional to the fourth power of the spin-current.

Holonomic quantum computation with electron spins in quantum dots

With the help of the spin-orbit interaction, we propose a scheme to perform holonomic single qubit gates on the electron spin confined to a quantum dot. The manipulation is done in the absence (or presence) of an applied magnetic field. By adiabatic changing the position of the confinement potential, one can rotate the spin state of the electron around the Bloch sphere in semiconductor heterostructures. The dynamics of the system is equivalent to employing an effective non-Abelian gauge potential whose structure depends on the type of the spin-orbit interaction. As an example, we find an analytic expression for the electron spin dynamics when the dot is moved around a circular path (with radius R) on the two dimensional electron gas (2DEG), and show that all single qubit gates can be realized by tuning the radius and orientation of the circular paths. Moreover, using the Heisenberg exchange interaction, we demonstrate how one can generate two-qubit gates by bringing two quantum dots near each other, yielding a scalable scheme to perform quantum computing on arbitrary N qubits. This proposal shows a way of realizing holonomic quantum computers in solid-state systems.

Exotic quantum holonomy in Hamiltonian systems

We consider evolution of quantum eigenstates in the presence of level crossing under slow cyclic change of environmental parameters. We find that exotic holonomies, indicated by exchange of the eigenstates after a single cyclic evolution, can arise from non-Abelian gauge potentials among non-degenerate levels. We illustrate our arguments with solvable two and three level models.

Effective Abelian and Non-Abelian Gauge Potentials in Cavity QED

Cavity QED models are analyzed in terms of field quadrature operators. We demonstrate that in such representation, the problem can be formulated in terms of effective gauge potentials. In this respect, it presents a completely new system in which gauge fields arise, possessing the advantages of purity, high control of system parameters as well as preparation and detection methods. Studying three well-known models, it is shown that either Abelian or non-Abelian gauge potentials can be constructed. The non-Abelian characteristics are confirmed via numerical simulations utilizing experimental parameters.

Ultracold atomic gases in non-Abelian gauge potentials: The case of constant Wilson loop

Nowadays it is experimentally feasible to create artificial, and in particular, non-Abelian gauge potentials for ultracold atoms trapped in optical lattices. Motivated by this fact, we investigate the fundamental properties of an ultracold Fermi gas in a non-Abelian U(2) gauge potential characterized by a constant Wilson loop. Under this specific condition, the energy spectrum exhibits a robust band structure with large gaps and reveals a new fractal figure. The transverse conductivity is related to topological invariants and is shown to be quantized when the Fermi energy lies inside a gap of the spectrum. We demonstrate that the analog of the integer quantum Hall effect for neutral atoms survives the non-Abelian coupling and leads to a striking fractal phase diagram. Moreover, this coupling induces an anomalous Hall effect as observed in graphene.

Double and Negative Reflection of Cold Atoms in Non-Abelian Gauge Potentials

Atom reflection is studied in the presence of a non-Abelian vector potential proportional to a spin-1/2 operator. The potential is produced by a relatively simple laser configuration for atoms with a tripod level scheme. We show that the atomic motion is described by two different dispersion branches with positive or negative chirality. As a consequence, atom reflection shows unusual features, since an incident wave may split into two reflected ones at a barrier, an ordinary specular reflection, and an additional nonspecular one. Remarkably, the latter wave can exhibit negative reflection and may become evanescent if the angle of incidence exceeds a critical value. These reflection properties are crucial for future designs in non-Abelian atom optics.

Physics of a two-dimensional electron gas with cold atoms in non-Abelian gauge potentials

Motivated by the possibility of creating non-Abelian fields using cold atoms in optical lattices, we explore the richness and complexity of noninteracting two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) in a lattice, subjected to such fields. In the continuum limit, a non-Abelian system characterized by a two-component ``magnetic flux'' describes a harmonic oscillator existing in two different charge states (mimicking a particle-hole pair) where the coupling between the states is determined by the non-Abelian parameter, namely, the difference between the two components of the ``magnetic flux.'' A key feature of the non-Abelian system is a splitting of the Landau energy levels, which broaden into bands, as the spectrum depends explicitly on the transverse momentum. These Landau bands result in a coarse-grained ``moth,'' a continuum version of the generalized Hofstadter butterfly. Furthermore, the bands overlap, leading to effective relativistic effects. Importantly, similar features also characterize the corresponding two-dimensional lattice problem when at least one of the components of the magnetic flux is an irrational number. The lattice system with two competing ``magnetic fluxes'' penetrating the unit cell provides a rich environment in which to study localization phenomena. Some unique aspects of the transport properties of the non-Abelian system are the possibility of inducing localization by varying the quasimomentum, and the absence of localization of certain zero-energy states exhibiting a linear energy-momentum relation. Furthermore, non-Abelian systems provide an interesting localization scenario where the localization transition is accompanied by a transition from relativistic to nonrelativistic theory.

Detecting unambiguously non-Abelian geometric phases with trapped ions

We propose an experimentally feasible scheme to disclose the noncommutative effects induced by a light-induced non-Abelian gauge structure with trapped ions. Under an appropriate configuration, a true non-Abelian gauge potential naturally arises in connection with the geometric phase associated with two degenerated dark states in a four-state atomic system interacting with three pulsed laser fields. We show that the population in the atomic state at the end of a composed path formed by two closed loops C1 and C2 in the parameter space can be significantly different from the composed counter-ordered path. This population difference is directly induced by the noncommutative feature of non-Abelian geometric phases and can be detected unambiguously with current technology.

Metal-Insulator Transition Revisited for Cold Atoms in Non-Abelian Gauge Potentials

We discuss the possibility of realizing metal-insulator transitions with ultracold atoms in two-dimensional optical lattices in the presence of artificial gauge potentials. For Abelian gauges, such transitions occur when the magnetic flux penetrating the lattice plaquette is an irrational multiple of the magnetic flux quantum. Here we present the first study of these transitions for non-Abelian U(2) gauge fields. In contrast to the Abelian case, the spectrum and localization transition in the non-Abelian case is strongly influenced by atomic momenta. In addition to determining the localization boundary, the momentum fragments the spectrum. Other key characteristics of the non-Abelian case include the absence of localization for certain states and satellite fringes around the Bragg peaks in the momentum distribution and an interesting possibility that the transition can be tuned by the atomic momenta.

Coriolis force, geometric phase, and spin-electric coupling in semiconductors

We consider the response of an effective spin of a charge carrier to an adiabatic rotation of its crystal momentum induced by electric field. This rotation gives rise to Coriolis pseudo-force that is responsible for torque acting on the orbital momentum of a particle. Mediated by a spin-orbit coupling in the valence band this perturbation leads to a spin-electric coupling that may affect the coherent transport properties of a charge carrier and cause a spin precession in zero magnetic fields. In the static uniform electric field the derived effective spin-Hamiltonians of the carriers in the conduction and light hole bands are homologous to the Rashba Hamiltonian. These effects may be also interpreted as a manifestation of, in general, a non-Abelian gauge potential and can be described in purely geometric terms as a consequence of the corresponding holonomy. We demonstrate that in the conduction band the strength of the associated covariant gauge field is proportional to the effective electron g-tensor and is controllable by gate fields or a strain applied to the crystal.

Topological spin transport of photons: Magnetic monopole gauge field in Maxwell's equations and polarization splitting of rays in periodically inhomogeneous media

Topological spin transport of electromagnetic waves (photons) in stationary smoothly inhomogeneous isotropic medium is studied. By diagonalizing photon kinetic energy in Maxwell equations we derive the non-Abelian pure gauge potential in the momentum space, which in adiabatic approximation for transverse waves takes the form of two Abelian U(1) potentials corresponding to magnetic monopole-type fields. These fields act on circularly polarized waves resulting in the topological spin transport of photons. We deduce general semiclassical (geometrical optics) ray equations that take into account a Lorentz-type force of the magnetic-monopole-like gauge field. Detailed analysis of rays in 3D medium with 2D periodic inhomogeneity is presented. It is shown that rays located initially in the inhomogeneity plane experience topological deflections or splitting that move them out from this plane. The dependence of the rays' deflection on the parameters of the medium and on the direction of propagation is studied.

Non-Abelian Gauge Potentials for Ultracold Atoms with Degenerate Dark States

We show that the adiabatic motion of ultracold, multilevel atoms in spatially varying laser fields can give rise to effective non-Abelian gauge fields if degenerate adiabatic eigenstates of the atom-laser interaction exist. A pair of such degenerate dark states emerges, e.g., if laser fields couple three internal states of an atom to a fourth common one under pairwise two-photon-resonance conditions. For this so-called tripod scheme we derive general conditions for truly non-Abelian gauge potentials and discuss special examples. In particular we show that using orthogonal laser beams with orbital angular momentum an effective magnetic field can be generated that has a monopole component.

Cold Atoms in Non-Abelian Gauge Potentials: From the Hofstadter "Moth" to Lattice Gauge Theory

We demonstrate how to create artificial external non-Abelian gauge potentials acting on cold atoms in optical lattices. The method employs atoms with k internal states, and laser assisted state sensitive tunneling, described by unitary k x k matrices. The single-particle dynamics in the case of intense U2 vector potentials lead to a generalized Hofstadter butterfly spectrum which shows a complex mothlike structure. We discuss the possibility to realize non-Abelian interferometry (Aharonov-Bohm effect) and to study many-body dynamics of ultracold matter in external lattice gauge fields.

Gerbes, M5-Brane Anomalies and E8Gauge Theory

Abelian gerbes and twisted bundles describe the topology of the NS 3-form gauge field strength H. We review how they have been usefully applied to study and resolve global anomalies in open string theory. Abelian 2-gerbes and twisted nonabelian gerbes describe the topology of the 4-form field strength G of M-theory. We show that twisted nonabelian gerbes are relevant in the study and resolution of global anomalies of multiple coinciding M5-branes. Global anomalies for one M5-brane have been studied by Witten and by Diaconescu, Freed and Moore. The structure and the differential geometry of twisted nonabelian gerbes (i.e. modules for 2-gerbes) is defined and studied. The nonabelian 2-form gauge potential living on multiple coinciding M5-branes arises as curving (curvature) of twisted nonabelian gerbes. The nonabelian group is in general E8, the central extension of the E8 loop group. The twist is in general necessary to cancel global anomalies due to the nontriviality of the 11-dimensional 4-form field strength G and due to the possible torsion present in the cycles the M5-branes wrap. Our description of M5-branes global anomalies leads to the D4-branes one upon compactification of M-theory to Type IIA theory.

REDUCTIONS OF CHERN–SIMONS THEORY RELATED TO INTEGRABLE SYSTEMS WHICH HAVE GEOMETRIC APPLICATIONS

The Chern–Simons functional is introduced in terms of chiral fields and then studied here. The current can be regarded as a non-Abelian pure gauge potential so that the zero-curvature equations are of Lagrangian form for pure non-Abelian Chern–Simons theory. The equations of motion are developed and a formalism which connects the zero curvature equations with a related moving trihedral is introduced. The moving frame equations are written down for the system and a correspondence between these equations and several related elementary integrable systems is described in the same formalism as well.

Measuring geometric phases of scattering states in nanoscale electronic devices

We show how a new quantum property, a geometric phase, associated with scattering states can be exhibited in nanoscale electronic devices. We propose an experiment to use interference to directly measure the effect of the new geometric phase. The setup involves a double path interferometer, adapted from that used to measure the phase evolution of electrons as they traverse a quantum dot (QD). Gate voltages on the QD could be varied cyclically and adiabatically, in a manner similar to that used to observe quantum adiabatic charge pumping. The interference due to the geometric phase results in oscillations in the current collected in the drain when a small bias across the device is applied. We illustrate the effect with examples of geometric phases resulting from both Abelian and non-Abelian gauge potentials.

On non-adiabatic holonomic quantum computer

Non-adiabatic non-Abelian geometric phase of spin-3/2 system in the rotating magnetic field is considered. Explicit expression for the corresponding effective non-Abelian gauge potential is obtained. This formula can be used for construction of quantum gates in quantum computations.

Exactly solvable models of scattering with SL(2, C) symmetry

Using the theory of induced representations two exactly solvable models of non-relativistic scattering with SL(2, C) symmetry are presented. The first describes the scattering of a charged particle moving on the Poincare upper half space H under the influence of an SU(2) non-Abelian gauge potential with isospin s. The second deals with a one-dimensional coupled-channel scattering problem for a charged particle in a matrix-valued scalar potential containing Morse-like interaction terms. The coupled channel wavefunctions and the corresponding scattering matrices are calculated. A detailed description of the underlying geometric structures is also given and a generalization for restricting the motion to fundamental domains of H (three manifolds of constant negative sectional curvature) is outlined. Such models provide an interesting generalization to the known ones of multichannel scattering, quantum chaos and chaotic cosmology.

Extended QCD versus Skyrme-Faddeev theory

We discuss the physical impacts of the ``Cho decomposition'' (or the ``Cho-Faddeev-Niemi-Shabanov decomposition'') of the non-Abelian gauge potential on QCD. We show how the decomposition makes a subtle but important modification on the non-Abelian dynamics, and present three physically equivalent quantization schemes of QCD which are consistent with the decomposition. In particular, we show that the decomposition enlarges the dynamical degrees of QCD by making the topological degrees of the non-Abelian gauge symmetry dynamical. Furthermore with the decomposition we show that the Skyrme-Faddeev theory of non-linear sigma model and QCD have almost identical topological structures. In specific we show that an essential ingredient in both theories is the Wu-Yang type non-Abelian monopole, and that the Faddeev-Niemi knots of the Skyrme-Faddeev theory can actually be interpreted to describe the multiple vacua of the SU(2) QCD. Finally we argue that the Skyrme-Faddeev theory is, just like QCD, a theory of confinement which confines the magnetic flux of the monopoles.