Higher vortexability: zero field realization of higher Landau levels

Higher vortexability: zero field realization of higher Landau levels

March 20, 2024 | Manato Fujimoto, Daniel E. Parker, Junkai Dong, Eslam Khalaf, Ashvin Vishwanath, Patrick Ledwith
This paper introduces a precise definition of "first vortexability" for Chern bands, which captures the quantum geometry of the first Landau level (1LL) in the absence of magnetic fields. The concept of vortexability, previously associated with the lowest Landau level (LLL), is extended to higher Landau levels by defining a "first vortexable band" as a pair of bands (a first LL band and a zeroth LL band) that together are vortexable. A Chern band is first vortexable if it can be paired with an orthogonal vortexable band such that the combined system is vortexable, and no alternative basis of vortexable wavefunctions spans the same two-band subspace. The paper demonstrates that periodically strained Bernal graphene can realize a first vortexable band even in zero magnetic field. This is achieved by constructing trial wavefunctions that mimic the structure of the 1LL in a non-magnetic setting. The wavefunctions are shown to be zero modes of the Hamiltonian, and their quantum geometric properties are analyzed to confirm their vortexability. The paper also introduces a "maximality index" to quantify how close a band is to the "maximal" first LL. This index is defined based on the non-Abelian Berry curvature and is shown to increase as the system approaches the limit where the band becomes a perfect 1LL. The results suggest that periodically strained Bernal graphene can host non-Abelian topological states, such as Pfaffian-type states, at zero magnetic field. The study provides a framework for identifying and characterizing higher Landau level-like states in Chern bands without the need for external magnetic fields. This has potential applications in realizing non-Abelian topological orders at energy scales that are otherwise unattainable with magnetic fields, which could be useful for fault-tolerant quantum computation. The work also highlights the importance of quantum geometry in understanding and engineering topological phases of matter.This paper introduces a precise definition of "first vortexability" for Chern bands, which captures the quantum geometry of the first Landau level (1LL) in the absence of magnetic fields. The concept of vortexability, previously associated with the lowest Landau level (LLL), is extended to higher Landau levels by defining a "first vortexable band" as a pair of bands (a first LL band and a zeroth LL band) that together are vortexable. A Chern band is first vortexable if it can be paired with an orthogonal vortexable band such that the combined system is vortexable, and no alternative basis of vortexable wavefunctions spans the same two-band subspace. The paper demonstrates that periodically strained Bernal graphene can realize a first vortexable band even in zero magnetic field. This is achieved by constructing trial wavefunctions that mimic the structure of the 1LL in a non-magnetic setting. The wavefunctions are shown to be zero modes of the Hamiltonian, and their quantum geometric properties are analyzed to confirm their vortexability. The paper also introduces a "maximality index" to quantify how close a band is to the "maximal" first LL. This index is defined based on the non-Abelian Berry curvature and is shown to increase as the system approaches the limit where the band becomes a perfect 1LL. The results suggest that periodically strained Bernal graphene can host non-Abelian topological states, such as Pfaffian-type states, at zero magnetic field. The study provides a framework for identifying and characterizing higher Landau level-like states in Chern bands without the need for external magnetic fields. This has potential applications in realizing non-Abelian topological orders at energy scales that are otherwise unattainable with magnetic fields, which could be useful for fault-tolerant quantum computation. The work also highlights the importance of quantum geometry in understanding and engineering topological phases of matter.
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