Topological invariants and edge modes at quantum criticality

ORAL

Abstract

It is sometimes presumed that a finite correlation length is essential to stabilizing topological phenomena. This applies even to well-studied topological semi-metals, where one appeals to gapped degrees of freedom (in momentum-space). In this talk, I will show that this common wisdom is not justified: topological invariants and edge modes can survive at phase transitions. This leads to the novel notion of symmetry-enriched quantum criticality, examples of which are hiding in plain sight.

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Presenters

  • Ruben Verresen

    • Department of Physics, Harvard university
    • Harvard University
    • Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich

Authors

  • Ruben Verresen

    • Department of Physics, Harvard university
    • Harvard University
    • Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich

  • Ryan Thorngren

    • Harvard CMSA

  • Nick G. Jones

    • University of Bristol

  • Frank Pollmann

    • Physics, Technische Universitat Munchen
    • TU Munich
    • Technical University of Munich
    • Department of Physics, Technical University of Munich
    • Tech Univ Muenchen
    • Department of Physics, T42, Technical University of Munich, D-85748 Garching, Germany

  • Ashvin Vishwanath

    • Harvard University
    • Physics, Harvard University
    • Department of Physics, Harvard University