Topological characterization of chiral models through their long time dynamics. (16th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maffei, Maria; Dauphin, Alexandre; Cardano, Filippo; Lewenstein, Maciej; Massignan, Pietro
• Is Part Of: New journal of physics. Volume 20:Number 1(2018:Jan.)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-16
• Subjects: winding number -- Zak phase -- topological insulators -- quantum simulation -- measure of winding numbers; Physics -- Periodicals; Physics; Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/aa9d4c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1367-2630

Abstract

Abstract: We study chiral models in one spatial dimension, both static and periodically driven. We demonstrate that their topological properties may be read out through the long time limit of a bulk observable, the mean chiral displacement. The derivation of this result is done in terms of spectral projectors, allowing for a detailed understanding of the physics. We show that the proposed detection converges rapidly and it can be implemented in a wide class of chiral systems. Furthermore, it can measure arbitrary winding numbers and topological boundaries, it applies to all non-interacting systems, independently of their quantum statistics, and it requires no additional elements, such as external fields, nor filled bands.