Weyl Equation Research Articles

Theory of Classical Electrodynamics with Topologically Quantized Singularities as Electric Charges

AbstractA theory of classical electrodynamics, where the only admissible electric charges are topological singularities in the electromagnetic field, is formulated. Charge quantization is accounted by the Chern theorem, such that Dirac magnetic monopoles are not needed. The theory allows positive and negative charges of equal magnitude, where the sign of the charge corresponds to the chirality of the topological singularity. Given the trajectory of the singularity, one can calculate electric and magnetic fields identical to those produced by Maxwell's equations for a moving point charge, apart from a multiplicative constant factor related to electron charge and vacuum permittivity. The theory is based on the relativistic Weyl equation in frequency‐wavevector space, with eigenstates comprising the position, velocity, and acceleration of the singularity, and eigenvalues defining the retarded position of the charge. From the eigenstates, one calculates the Berry connection and the Berry curvatures, and identifies the curvatures as electric and magnetic fields.

Weyl superconductivity and quasiperiodic Majorana arcs in quasicrystals

Weyl superconductivity is a topological phase in three-dimensional crystals in which the Weyl equation describes quasiparticle excitation near band-touching points in momentum space called Weyl nodes. For quasicrystals which lack translational symmetry, a theory of Weyl superconductivity has not been established, in spite of recent extensive studies on quasicrystalline topological phases. Here, we demonstrate the occurrence of quasicrystalline Weyl superconductivity by extending the definition of Weyl superconductivity to periodically stacked, two-dimensional superconducting quasicrystals. We identify quasicrystalline Weyl nodes—topologically protected point nodes in one-dimensional momentum space corresponding to the stacking direction—in terms of a topological invariant given by a change in the Bott index in quasicrystalline layers. We find that these Weyl nodes exist in pairs and that Majorana zero-energy modes protected by the nonzero Bott index between a pair of quasicrystalline Weyl nodes appear on surfaces. These Majorana zero modes form an infinite number of arcs in momentum space, densely and quasiperiodically distributed as a function of momentum in the direction of surfaces within each quasicrystalline layer. In Ammann-Beenker (Penrose) quasicrystals, the quasiperiodicity of Majorana arcs is governed by the silver (golden) ratio associated with the quasicrystalline structure. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Cellular automaton ontology, bits, qubits and the Dirac equation

Cornerstones of the Cellular Automaton Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics are its ontological states that evolve by permutations, in this way never creating would-be quantum mechanical superposition states. We review and illustrate this with a classical Ising spin chain. It is shown that it can be related to the Weyl equation in the continuum limit. Yet, the model of discrete spins or bits unavoidably becomes a model of qubits by generating superpositions, if only slightly deformed. We study modifications of its signal velocity which, however, do not relate to mass terms. To incorporate the latter, we consider the Dirac equation in 1+1 dimensions and sketch an underlying discrete deterministic “necklace of necklaces” automaton that qualifies as ontological.

Superconformal interacting particles

The free massless superparticle is reanalyzed, in particular by performing the Gupta-Bleuler quantization, using the first- and second-class constraints of the model, and obtaining as a result, the Weyl equation for the spinorial component of the chiral superfield. Then we construct a superconformal model of two interacting massless superparticles from the free case by the introduction of an invariant interaction. The interaction introduces an effective mass for each particle by modifying the structure of fermionic constraints, all becoming second class. The quantization of the model produces a bilocal chiral superfield. We also generalize the model by considering a system of superconformal interacting particles and its continuum limit. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Conelike radiant structures

Analogues of the classical affine-projective correspondence are developed in the context of statistical manifolds compatible with a radiant vector field. These utilize a formulation of Einstein equations for special statistical structures that generalizes the usual Einstein equations for pseudo-Riemannian metrics and is of independent interest. A conelike radiant structure is a not necessarily flat affine connection equipped with a family of surfaces that behave like the intersections of the planes through the origin with a convex cone in a real vector space. A radiant structure is a torsion-free affine connection and a vector field whose covariant derivative is the identity endomorphism. A radiant structure is conelike if for every point and every two-dimensional subspace containing the radiant vector field there is a totally geodesic surface passing through the point and tangent to the subspace. Such structures exist on the total space of any principal bundle with one-dimensional fiber and on any Lie group with a quadratic structure on its Lie algebra. The affine connection of a conelike radiant structure can be normalized in a canonical way to have antisymmetric Ricci tensor. Applied to a conelike radiant structure on the total space of a principal bundle with one-dimensional fiber this yields a generalization of the classical Thomas connection of a projective structure. The compatibility of radiant and conelike structures with metrics is investigated and yields a construction of connections for which the symmetrized Ricci curvature is a constant multiple of a compatible metric that generalizes well-known constructions of Riemannian and Lorentzian Einstein–Weyl structures over Kähler–Einstein manifolds having nonzero scalar curvature. A formulation of Einstein equations for special statistical manifolds is given that generalizes the Einstein–Weyl equations and encompasses these more general examples. There are constructed left-invariant conelike radiant structures on a Lie group endowed with a left-invariant nondegenerate bilinear form, and the case of three-dimensional unimodular Lie groups is described in detail.

A General Method for Obtaining Degenerate Solutions to the Dirac and Weyl Equations and a Discussion on the Experimental Detection of Degenerate States

AbstractIn this work, a general method is described for obtaining degenerate solutions of the Dirac equation, corresponding to an infinite number of electromagnetic 4‐potentials and fields, which are explicitly calculated. More specifically, using four arbitrary real functions, one can automatically construct a spinor that satisfies the Dirac equation for an infinite number of electromagnetic 4‐potentials, defined by those functions. An interesting characteristic of these solutions is that, in the case of Dirac particles with nonzero mass, the degenerate spinors should be localized, both in space and time. The method is also extended to the cases of massless Dirac and Weyl particles, where the localization of the spinors is no longer required. Finally, two experimental methods are proposed for detecting the presence of degenerate states.

On the Majorana representation of the optical Dirac equation

We consider the representations of the optical Dirac equation, especially ones where the Hamiltonian is purely real-valued. This is equivalent, for Maxwell’s equations, to the Majorana representation of the massless Dirac (Weyl) equation. We draw analogies between the Dirac, chiral and Majorana representations of the Dirac and optical Dirac equations, and derive two new optical Majorana representations. Just as the Dirac and chiral representations are related to optical spin and helicity states, these Majorana representations of the optical Dirac equation are associated with the linear polarization of light. This provides a means to compare electron and electromagnetic wave equations in the context of classical field theory.

Light control with Weyl semimetals

Weyl semimetals are topological materials whose electron quasiparticles obey the Weyl equation. They possess many unusual properties that may lead to new applications. This is a tutorial review of the optical properties and applications of Weyl semimetals. We review the basic concepts and optical responses of Weyl semimetals, and survey their applications in optics and thermal photonics. We hope this pedagogical text will motivate further research on this emerging topic.

Neutrino fields in a sandwich gravitational wave background

Sandwich gravitational waves are given globally in terms of step functions at the boundaries. Linearized Einstein–Weyl equations are solved exactly in this background in Rosen coordinates. Depending on the geometry and composition of the sandwich wave, the neutrino’s energy-momentum redistributes itself. At the test field level, since the background will not change, the neutrino’s energy density in particular will show variations between positive and negative extrema when crossing the sandwich wave. This may reveal facts about the weakly interacting neutrinos in cosmology.

Hydrodynamic representation and energy balance for Dirac and Weyl fermions in curved space-times

Using a generalized Madelung transformation, we derive the hydrodynamic representation of the Dirac equation in arbitrary curved space-times coupled to an electromagnetic field. We obtain Dirac–Euler equations for fermions involving a continuity equation and a first integral of the Bernoulli equation. Comparing between the Dirac and Klein–Gordon equations we obtain the balance equation for fermion particles. We also use the correspondence between fermions and bosons to derive the hydrodynamic representation of the Weyl equation which is a chiral form of the Dirac equation.

Quantum Simulation of the Two-Dimensional Weyl Equation in a Magnetic Field.

Quantum simulation of 1D relativistic quantum mechanics has been achieved in well-controlled systems like trapped ions, but properties like spin dynamics and response to external magnetic fields that appear only in higher dimensions remain unexplored. Here we simulate the dynamics of a 2D Weyl particle. We show the linear dispersion relation of the free particle and the discrete Landau levels in a magnetic field, and we explicitly measure the spatial and spin dynamics from which the conservation of helicity and properties of antiparticles can be verified. Our work extends the application of an ion trap quantum simulator in particle physics with the additional spatial and spin degrees of freedom.

Degenerate solutions to the massless Dirac and Weyl equations and a proposed method for controlling the quantum state of Weyl particles

In a recent work, we have shown that all solutions to the Weyl equation and a special class of solutions to the Dirac equation are degenerate in the sense that they remain unaltered under the influence of a wide variety of different electromagnetic fields. In this study, our previous work is significantly extended, providing a wide class of degenerate solutions to the Dirac equation for massless particles. The electromagnetic fields corresponding to these solutions are calculated and examples regarding both spatially constant electromagnetic fields and electromagnetic waves are also provided. Furthermore, some general solutions to the Weyl equation are presented, and the corresponding electromagnetic fields are calculated. Based on these results, a method for fully controlling the quantum state of Weyl particles using appropriate electromagnetic fields is proposed. Finally, the transition from degenerate to non-degenerate solutions as the particles acquire mass is discussed.

Structure of spherically symmetric objects: a study based on structure scalars

The aim of this paper is to explore the consequences of extra curvature terms mediated from f(R, T, Q) (where Q ≡ R μ ν T μ ν ) theory on the formation of scalar functions and their importance in the study of populations who are crowded with regular relativistic objects. For this purpose, we model our system comprising of non-rotating spherical geometry formed due to gravitation of locally anisotropic and radiating sources. After considering a particular f(R, T, Q) model, we form a peculiar relation among Misner-Sharp mass, tidal forces, and matter variables. Through structure scalars, we have modeled shear, Weyl, and expansion evolutions equations. The investigation for the causes of the irregular distribution of energy density is also performed with and without constant curvature conditions. It is deduced that our computed one of the f(R, T, Q) structure scalars (Y T ) has a vital role to play in understanding celestial mechanisms in which gravitational interactions cause singularities to emerge.

Dynamics of quasi-particles in graphene with impurities and sharp edges from the kp-method standpoint

Dynamics of quasi-particles in graphene with an impurity and a sharp edge is considered with the kp-method that allows an unified approach without usage of any models. Dirac and Weyl equations are derived by the above-mentioned method. The wave function and its envelope function together with the scattering amplitude are found in the Born approximation. The wave functions are shown to be a superposition of virtual Bloch functions which exponential decay outward from the impurity and the edge. At distances much greater that the atomic spacing the wave functions are explicitly presented. Green’s functions for Shrödinger and Dirac equations are derived as well. Boundary conditions for the Dirac equation for graphene with a sharp edge are also derived.

Modulation of Weyl semimetal state in half-Heusler GdPtBi enabled by hydrostatic pressure

The excitation of Weyl semimetals obeys the relativistic Weyl equation and attracted significant research attention due to its unique electronic state. In this paper, we present an emerging approach for modulating the electron state of half-Heusler GdPtBi by hydrostatic pressure. Through measurements of the temperature-dependent resistivity and magnetoresistance (MR), a phase transition from a Weyl semimetal to a semiconductor state was identified at about 2.0 GPa upon increasing the hydrostatic pressure. Electron transport in semiconductive GdPtBi is found to be well describable by Mott variable-range-hopping. The simulated electronic structures under different hydrostatic pressures further indicate that changes in the electronic states of atoms in the primary unit cell result in a phase transition in GdPtBi. This work presents an effective strategy for modulating the electronic state by tuning the lattice constant.

Hydrodynamic description of Weyl fermions in condensed state of matter

Due to the many unique transport properties of Weyl semimetals, they are promising materials for modern electronics. We investigate the electrons in the strong coupling approximation near Weyl points based on their representation as massless Weyl fermions. We have constructed a new fluid model based on the many-particle quantum hydrodynamics method to describe the behavior of electrons gas with different chirality near Weyl points in the low-energy limit in the external electromagnetic fields, based on the many-particle Weyl equation and many-particle wave function. The derived system of equations forms a closed apparatus for describing the dynamics of the electron current, spin density and spin current density. Based on the proposed model, we considered small perturbations in the Weyl fermion system in an external uniform magnetic field and predicted the new type of eigenwaves in the systems of the electrons near the Weyl points.

Chiral transport of pseudospinors induced by synthetic gravitational field in photonic Weyl metamaterials

Weyl particles exhibit chiral transport property under external curved space-time geometry. This effect is called the chiral gravitational effect, which plays an important role in quantum field theory. However, the absence of real Weyl particles in nature hinders the observation of such interesting phenomena. In this paper, we show that chiral gravitational effect can be manifested in Weyl metamaterials with spatially controlled nonlocality. This inhomogeneous modulation results in a spatially dependent group velocity in the Weyl cone dispersion, which is equivalent to introducing a curved background space-time (or gravitational field) for Weyl pseudospinors according to the Clifford algebra. The Weyl equation describing the Weyl cone dispersions is reformulated into the covariant form that contains a nonAbelian gauge field by considering the parallel transport of pseudospinors. The synthetic gravitational field (i.e., space-time curvature) leads to the quantization of energy levels, including chiral zeroth order energy modes (or simply chiral zero modes) that determine the chiral transport property of pseudospinors. Inhomogeneous Weyl metamaterials can potentially become a platform for investigating the interaction between Weyl particles and gravitational fields in future table-top experiments. The theoretical model and the associated results may serve as a guidance for experimentalists to observe such chiral transport effects in photonic Weyl systems.

New solutions of the Dirac, Maxwell, and Weyl equations from the fractional Fourier transform

New solutions of relativistic wave equations are obtained in a unified manner from generating functions of spinorial variables. The choice of generating functions as Gaussians leads to representations in the form of generalized fractional Fourier transforms. Wave functions satisfying the Dirac, Maxwell, and Weyl equations are constructed by simple differentiations with respect to spinorial arguments. In the simplest case, one obtains Maxwell and Dirac hopfion solutions.

Weyl Fermions in a Linear Class of Gödel-Type Space-Time Backgrounds

We study Weyl fermions in a linear class of topologically trivial G\"odel-type geometries in Einstein's general relativity. We solve the Weyl equation and evaluate in detail the energy eigenvalues and the corresponding wave functions.

Thermodynamic properties of massless Dirac–Weyl fermions under the generalized uncertainty principle* *Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 11565009).

The Dirac–Weyl equation characterized quasi-particles in the T3 lattice are studied under external magnetic field using the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP). The energy spectrum of the quasi-particles is found by the Nikiforov–Uvarov method. Based on the energy spectrum obtained, the thermodynamic properties are given, and the influence of the GUP on the statistical properties of systems is discussed. The results show that the energy and thermodynamic functions of massless Dirac–Weyl fermions in the T3 lattice depend on the variation of the GUP parameter.