Majorana tunneling in a one-dimensional wire with non-Hermitian double quantum dots

The combination of non-Hermitian physics and Majorana fermions can give rise to new effects in quantum transport systems. In this work, we investigate the interplay of PT-symmetric complex potentials, Majorana tunneling and interdot tunneling in a non-Hermitian double quantum dots system. It is found that in the weak-coupling regime the Majorana tunneling has pronounced effects on the transport properties of such a system, manifested as splitting of the single peak into three and a reduced 1/4 peak in the transmission function. In the presence of the PT-symmetric complex potentials and interdot tunneling, the 1/4 central peak is robust against them, while the two side peaks are tuned by them. The interdot tunneling only induces asymmetry, instead of moving the conductance peak, due to the robustness of the Majorana modes. There is an exceptional point induced by the union of Majorana tunneling and interdot tunneling. With increased PT-symmetric complex potentials, the two side peaks will move towards each other. When the exceptional point is passed through, these two side peaks will disappear. In the strong-coupling regime, the Majorana fermion induces a 1/4 conductance dip instead of the three-peak structure. PT-symmetric complex potentials induce two conductance dips pinned at the exceptional point. These effects should be accessible in experiments.

Exceptional points and quantum dynamics in a non-Hermitian two-qubit system

We study the exceptional-point(EP) structure and the associated quantum dynamics in a system consisting of a non-Hermitian qubit and a Hermitian qubit. We find that the system possesses two sets of EPs, which divide the systemparameter space into PT-symmetry unbroken, partially broken and fully broken regimes, each with distinct quantumdynamics characteristics. Particularly, in the partially broken regime, while the PT-symmetry is generally broken in the whole four-dimensional Hilbert space, it is preserved in a two-dimensional subspace such that the quantum dynamics in the subspace are similar to those in the PT-symmetry unbroken regime. In addition, we reveal that the competition between the inter-qubit coupling and the intra-qubit driving gives rise to a complex pattern in the EP variation with system parameters.

Dynamical localization in a non-Hermitian Floquet synthetic system

We investigate the non-Hermitian effects on quantum diffusion in a kicked rotor model where the complex kicking potential is quasi-periodically modulated in the time domain.The synthetic space with arbitrary dimension can be created by incorporating incommensurate frequencies in the quasi-periodical modulation.In the Hermitian case,strong kicking induces the chaotic diffusion in the four-dimension momentum space characterized by linear growth of mean energy.We find that the quantum coherence in deep non-Hermitian regime can effectively suppress the chaotic diffusion and hence result in the emergence of dynamical localization.Moreover,the extent of dynamical localization is dramatically enhanced by increasing the non-Hermitian parameter.Interestingly,the quasi-energies become complex when the non-Hermitian parameter exceeds a certain threshold value.The quantum state will finally evolve to a quasi-eigenstate for which the imaginary part of its quasi-energy is large most.The exponential localization length decreases with the increase of the non-Hermitian parameter,unveiling the underlying mechanism of the enhancement of the dynamical localization by nonHermiticity.

Anomalous time-reversal symmetric non-Hermitian systems

The conditions for the emergence of the non-Hermitian skin effect, as a unique physical response of non-Hermitian systems, have now become one of the hot research topics. In this paper, we study the novel physical responses of nonHermitian systems with anomalous time-reversal symmetry, in both one dimension and two dimensions. Specifically, we focus on whether the systems will exhibit a non-Hermitian skin effect. We employ the theory of generalized Brillouin zone and also numerical methods to show that the anomalous time-reversal symmetry can prevent the skin effect in onedimensional non-Hermitian systems, but is unable to exert the same effectiveness in two-dimensional cases.

Fast population transfer with a superconducting qutrit via non-Hermitian shortcut to adiabaticity

Non-Hermitian dissipation dynamics,capable of turning the conventionally detrimental decoherence effects to useful resources for state engineering,is highly attractive to quantum information processing.In this work,an effective scheme is developed for implementing fast population transfer with a superconducting qutrit via the non-Hermitian shortcut to adiabaticity(STA).We first deal with aΛ-configuration interaction between the qutrit and microwave drivings,in which the dephasing-assisted qubit state inversion requiring an overlarge dephasing rate is constructed non-adiabatically.After introducing a feasible ancillary driving that directly acts upon the qubit states,the target state transfer can be well realized but with an accessible qubit dephasing rate.Moreover,a high fidelity could be numerically obtained in the considered system.The strategy could provide a new route towards the non-Hermitian shortcut operations on superconducting quantum circuits.

General mapping of one-dimensional non-Hermitian mosaic models to non-mosaic counterparts:Mobility edges and Lyapunov exponents

We establish a general mapping from one-dimensional non-Hermitian mosaic models to their non-mosaic counterparts.This mapping can give rise to mobility edges and even Lyapunov exponents in the mosaic models if critical points of localization or Lyapunov exponents of localized states in the corresponding non-mosaic models have already been analytically solved.To demonstrate the validity of this mapping,we apply it to two non-Hermitian localization models:an Aubry-Andre-like model with nonreciprocal hopping and complex quasiperiodic potentials,and the Ganeshan-Pixley-Das Sarma model with nonreciprocal hopping.We successfully obtain the mobility edges and Lyapunov exponents in their mosaic models.This general mapping may catalyze further studies on mobility edges,Lyapunov exponents,and other significant quantities pertaining to localization in non-Hermitian mosaic models.

Mobility edges generated by the non-Hermitian flatband lattice

We study the cross-stitch flatband lattice subject to the quasiperiodic complex potential exp(ix). We firstly identify the exact expression of quadratic mobility edges through analytical calculation, then verify the theoretical predictions by numerically calculating the inverse participation ratio. Further more, we study the relationship between the real–complex spectrum transition and the localization–delocalization transition, and demonstrate that mobility edges in this non-Hermitian model not only separate localized from extended states but also indicate the coexistence of complex and real spectrum.

Anomalous non-Hermitian dynamical phenomenon on the quantum circuit

The anomalous non-Hermitian dynamical phenomenon with the non-Hermitian skin effect(NHSE)attracts wide attention due to its novel physics and promising applications.Here,we propose a new type of non-unitary discrete-time quantum walk system demonstrating the NHSE and anomalous non-Hermitian dynamical phenomena,including the dynamical chiral phenomenon,the funneling phenomenon on the domain wall,and the anomalous reflection on the phase impurity.Furthermore,we design the quantum circuit experiments of these quantum walk systems and numerically simulate them with quantum noises to verify the robustness of the non-Hermitian dynamical phenomenon on the noisy intermediate-scale quantum(NISQ)devices.Our work paves the way for implementing the non-Hermitian dynamical phenomenon on the quantum circuit.

Hall conductance of a non-Hermitian two-band system with k-dependent decay rates

Two-band model works well for Hall effect in topological insulators. It turns out to be non-Hermitian when the system is subjected to environments, and its topology characterized by Chern numbers has received extensive studies in the past decades. However, how a non-Hermitian system responses to an electric field and what is the connection of the response to the Chern number defined via the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian remains barely explored. In this paper, focusing on a k-dependent decay rate, we address this issue by studying the response of such a non-Hermitian Chern insulator to an external electric field. To this aim, we first derive an effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian to describe the system and give a specific form of k-dependent decay rate. Then we calculate the response of the non-Hermitian system to a constant electric field.We observe that the environment leads the Hall conductance to be a weighted integration of curvature of the ground band and hence the conductance is no longer quantized in general. And the environment induces a delay in the response of the system to the electric field. A discussion on the validity of the non-Hermitian model compared with the master equation description is also presented.

Observation of size-dependent boundary effects in non-Hermitian electric circuits

The non-Hermitian systems with the non-Hermitian skin effect(NHSE)are very sensitive to the imposed boundary conditions and lattice sizes,which lead to size-dependent non-Hermitian skin effects.Here,we report the experimental observation of NHSE with different boundary conditions and different lattice sizes in the unidirectional hopping model based on a circuit platform.The circuit admittance spectra and corresponding eigenstates are very sensitive to the presence of the boundary.Meanwhile,our experimental results show how the lattice sizes and boundary terms together affect the strength of NHSE.Therefore,our electric circuit provides a good platform to observe size-dependent boundary effects in non-Hermitian systems.

Theory of complex-coordinate transformation acoustics for non-Hermitian metamaterials

Transformation acoustics(TA)has emerged as a powerful tool for designing several intriguing conceptual devices,which can manipulate acoustic waves in a flexible manner,yet their applications are limited in Hermitian materials.In this work,we propose the theory of complex-coordinate transformation acoustics(CCTA)and verify the effectiveness in realizing acoustic non-Hermitian metamaterials.Especially,we apply this theory for the first time to the design of acoustic parity-time(PT)and antisymmetric parity-time(APT)metamaterials and demonstrate two distinctive examples.First,we use this method to obtain the exceptional points(EPs)of the PT/APT system and observe the spontaneous phase transition of the scattering matrix in the transformation parameter space.Second,by selecting the Jacobian matrix's constitutive parameters,the PT/APT-symmetric system can also be configured to approach the zero and pole of the scattering matrix,behaving as an acoustic coherent perfect absorber and equivalent laser.We envision our proposed CCTAbased paradigm to open the way for exploring the non-Hermitian physics and finding application in the design of acoustic functional devices such as absorbers and amplifiers whose material parameters are hard to realize by using the conventional transformation method.

Filling up complex spectral regions through non-Hermitian disordered chains

Eigenspectra that fill regions in the complex plane have been intriguing to many,inspiring research from random matrix theory to esoteric semi-infinite bounded non-Hermitian lattices.In this work,we propose a simple and robust ansatz for constructing models whose eigenspectra fill up generic prescribed regions.Our approach utilizes specially designed non-Hermitian random couplings that allow the co-existence of eigenstates with a continuum of localization lengths,mathematically emulating the effects of semi-infinite boundaries.While some of these couplings are necessarily long-ranged,they are still far more local than what is possible with known random matrix ensembles.Our ansatz can be feasibly implemented in physical platforms such as classical and quantum circuits,and harbors very high tolerance to imperfections due to its stochastic nature.

Real non-Hermitian energy spectra without any symmetry

Non-Hermitian models with real eigenenergies are highly desirable for their stability.Yet,most of the currently known ones are constrained by symmetries such as PT-symmetry,which is incompatible with realizing some of the most exotic non-Hermitian phenomena.In this work,we investigate how the non-Hermitian skin effect provides an alternative route towards enforcing real spectra and system stability.We showcase,for different classes of energy dispersions,various ansatz models that possess large parameter space regions with real spectra,despite not having any obvious symmetry.These minimal local models can be quickly implemented in non-reciprocal experimental setups such as electrical circuits with operational amplifiers.

Efficient and stable wireless power transfer based on the non-Hermitian physics

As one of the most attractive non-radiative power transfer mechanisms without cables,efficient magnetic resonance wireless power transfer(WPT)in the near field has been extensively developed in recent years,and promoted a variety of practical applications,such as mobile phones,medical implant devices and electric vehicles.However,the physical mechanism behind some key limitations of the resonance WPT,such as frequency splitting and size-dependent efficiency,is not very clear under the widely used circuit model.Here,we review the recently developed efficient and stable resonance WPT based on non-Hermitian physics,which starts from a completely different avenue(utilizing loss and gain)to introduce novel functionalities to the resonance WPT.From the perspective of non-Hermitian photonics,the coherent and incoherent effects compete and coexist in the WPT system,and the weak stable of energy transfer mainly comes from the broken phase associated with the phase transition of parity-time symmetry.Based on this basic physical framework,some optimization schemes are proposed,including using nonlinear effect,using bound states in the continuum,or resorting to the system with high-order parity-time symmetry.Moreover,the combination of non-Hermitian physics and topological photonics in multi-coil system also provides a versatile platform for long-range robust WPT with topological protection.Therefore,the non-Hermitian physics can not only exactly predict the main results of current WPT systems,but also provide new ways to solve the difficulties of previous designs.

Topological phases of a non-Hermitian coupled SSH ladder

We study topological phases of a non-Hermitian coupled Su-Schrieffer-Heeger(SSH) ladder. The model originates from the brick-wall lattices in the two-row limit. The Hamiltonian can be brought into block off-diagonal form and the winding number can be defined with the determine of the block off-diagonal matrix. We find the determine of the offdiagonal matrix has nothing to do with the interleg hopping of the ladder. So the topological phases of the model are the same as those of the chains. Further numerical simulations verify the analysis.

Quantum speed limit time of a non-Hermitian two-level system

We investigated the quantum speed limit time of a non-Hermitian two-level system for which gain and loss of energy or amplitude are present. Our results show that, with respect to two distinguishable states of the non-Hermitian system, the evolutionary time does not have a nonzero lower bound. The quantum evolution of the system can be effectively accelerated by adjusting the non-Hermitian parameter, as well as the quantum speed limit time can be arbitrarily small even be zero.

Generation of sustained optimal entropy squeezing of a two-level atom via non-Hermitian operation

We investigate the entropy squeezing of a two-level atom in the Jaynes–Cummings model, and provide a scheme to generate the sustained optimal entropy squeezing of the atom via non-Hermitian operation. Our results show that the squeezing degree and the persistence time of entropy squeezing of atomic polarization components greatly depend on the non-Hermiticity intensity in non-Hermitian operation. Especially, under a proper choice of non-Hermiticity parameters, the sustained optimal entropy squeezing of the atom can be generated even though the atom is initially prepared in a no entropy squeezing state.

A new way to construct topological invariants of non-Hermitian systems with the non-Hermitian skin effect

The non-Hermitian skin effect breaks the conventional bulk–boundary correspondence and leads to non-Bloch topological invariants.Inspired by the fact that the topological protected zero modes are immune to perturbations,we construct a partner of a non-Hermitian system by getting rid of the non-Hermitian skin effect.Through adjusting the imbalance hopping,we find that the existence of zero-energy boundary states still dictate the bulk topological invariants based on the band-theory framework.Two non-Hermitian Su–Schrieffer–Heeger(SSH)models are used to illuminate the ideas.Specially,we obtain the winding numbers in analytical form without the introduction of the generalized Brillouin zone.The work gives an alternative method to calculate the topological invariants of non-Hermitian systems.

Non-Hermitian quasicrystal in dimerized lattices

Non-Hermitian quasicrystals possess PT and metal-insulator transitions induced by gain and loss or nonreciprocal effects.In this work,we uncover the nature of localization transitions in a generalized Aubry-Andre-Harper model with´dimerized hopping amplitudes and complex onsite potential.By investigating the spectrum,adjacent gap ratios and inverse participation ratios,we find an extended phase,a localized phase and a mobility edge phase,which are originated from the interplay between hopping dimerizations and non-Hermitian onsite potential.The lower and upper bounds of the mobility edge are further characterized by a pair of topological winding numbers,which undergo quantized jumps at the boundaries between different phases.Our discoveries thus unveil the richness of topological and transport phenomena in dimerized non-Hermitian quasicrystals.

Bose–Einstein condensates under a non-Hermitian spin–orbit coupling

We study the properties of Bose–Einstein condensates under a non-Hermitian spin–orbit coupling(SOC), induced by a dissipative two-photon Raman process. We focus on the dynamics of the condensate at short times, when the impact of decoherence induced by quantum jumps is negligible and the dynamics is coherently driven by a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian. Given the significantly modified single-particle physics by dissipative SOC, the interplay of non-Hermiticity and interaction leads to a quasi-steady-state phase diagram different from its Hermitian counterpart. In particular, we find that dissipation can induce a phase transition from the stripe phase to the plane-wave phase. We further map out the phase diagram with respect to the dissipation and interaction strengths, and finally investigate the stability of quasi-steady states through the time-dependent dissipative Gross–Pitaevskii equation. Our results are readily accessible based on standard experiments with synthetic spin–orbit couplings.