States In non-Hermitian Systems Research Articles

Point-gap bound states in non-Hermitian systems

Point-gap bound states in non-Hermitian systems

Counterdiabatic driving for pseudo- and antipseudo- Hermitian systems

In this work, we study the counterdiabatic (CD) driving scheme and population transfer in pseudo- and antipseudo-Hermitian systems. By discussing the adiabatic condition for non-Hermitian system and the relation between the adiabatic evolution and the real energy spectrum, we derive the CD driving scheme for pseudo- and antipseudo-Hermitian systems. Based on these, we derive the condition that an eigenstate of a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian is self-normalized to guarantee the normalized populations of the bare states in non-Hermitian systems. Our results are illustrated by studying the CD driving for a non-Hermitian three-level system. A scheme to realize the perfect population transfer between the bare states is proposed in the antipseudo-Hermitian case.

Truncation-dependent PT phase transition for the edge states of a two-dimensional non-Hermitian system

We consider a bulk system supporting parity and time reversal ($PT$) symmetry, and investigate how the $PT$ phase transition of edge states is influenced by different truncations of the system. As an example, we study a two-dimensional $PT$-symmetric Su--Schrieffer--Heeger lattice with non-Hermitian onsite potentials. We find that when the truncation preserves certain symmetries of the bulk lattice, the edge states can remain in the $PT$-unbroken phase when the non-Hermitian onsite potentials are less than a nonzero critical value. On the other hand, when the truncation removes such symmetries, edge states with complex eigen-energies are observed for infinitesimal non-Hermitian onsite potentials. We develop an analytic theory to account for such behaviors. Our results are important in the manipulation of the gain and loss behaviors of edge states in non-Hermitian systems, with potential applications in the study of topological lasers, quantum sensors, and unidirectional invisibility.

Non-Hermitian topological states in 2D line-graph lattices: evolving triple exceptional points on reciprocal line graphs

Non-Hermitian (NH) topological states, such as the doubly-degenerate nodes dubbed as exceptional points (EPs) in Bloch band structure of 2D lattices driven by gain and loss, have attracted much recent interest. We demonstrate theoretically that in the three-site edge-centered lattices, i.e. the so-called line-graph lattices, such as kagome lattice which is a line graph of hexagonal lattice, there exist three types of triply-degenerate EPs evolving intriguingly on another set of line graphs in the reciprocal space. A single TEP (STEP) with ±1/3 topological charge moves faithfully along the edges of reciprocal line graphs with varying gain and loss, while two STEPs merge distinctively into one unconventional orthogonal double TEP (DTEP) with ±2/3 charge at the vertices, which is characterized with two ordinary self-orthogonal eigenfunctions but one surprising ‘orthogonal’ eigenfunction. Differently, in a modified line-graph lattice with an off-edge-center site, the ordinary coalesced state of DTEPs emerges with three identical self-orthogonal eigenfunctions. Such NH states and their evolution can be generally realized in various artificial systems, such as photonic and sonic crystals, where light and sonic vortex beams with different fractional twisting can be found. Our findings shed new light on fundamental understanding of gapless topological states in NH systems in terms of creation and evolution of high-order EPs, and open up new research directions to further link line graph and flow network theory coupled with topological physics, especially under non-equilibrium gain/loss conditions.

Anomalous features of non-Hermitian topological states

Topological states in non-Hermitian systems are known to exhibit some anomalous features. Here, we find two new anomalous features of non-Hermitian topological states. We consider a one dimensional nonreciprocal Hamiltonian and show that topological robustness can be practically lost for a linear combination of topological states in non-Hermitian systems due to the non-Hermitian skin effect. We also consider a two dimensional non-Hermitian Chern insulator and show that chirality of topological states is broken. This implies that topological states are no longer immune to backscattering.

Perspective on topological states of non-Hermitian lattices

The search of topological states in non-Hermitian systems has gained a strong momentum over the last two years climbing to the level of an emergent research front. In this perspective we give an overview with a focus on connecting this topic to others like Floquet systems. Furthermore, using a simple scattering picture we discuss an interpretation of concepts like the Hamiltonian’s defectiveness, i.e. the lack of a full basis of eigenstates, crucial in many discussions of topological phases of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians.

Symmetry-protected localized states at defects in non-Hermitian systems

Understanding how local potentials affect system eigenmodes is crucial for experimental studies of nontrivial bulk topology. Recent studies have discovered many exotic and highly non-trivial topological states in non-Hermitian systems. As such, it would be interesting to see how non-Hermitian systems respond to local perturbations. In this work, we consider chiral and particle-hole -symmetric non-Hermitian systems on a bipartite lattice, including SSH model and photonic graphene, and find that a disordered local potential could induce bound states evolving from the bulk. When the local potential on a single site becomes infinite, which renders a lattice vacancy, chiral-symmetry-protected zero-energy mode and particle-hole symmetry-protected bound states with purely imaginary eigenvalues emerge near the vacancy. These modes are robust against any symmetry-preserved perturbations. Our work generalizes the symmetry-protected localized states to non-Hermitian systems.