Paul Fendley

A New supersymmetric index

Abstract We show that Tr(−1) F F e βH is an index for N = 2 supersymmetric theories in two dimensions, in the sense that it is independent of almost all deformations of the theory. This index is related to the geometry of the vacua (Berrys curvature) and satisfies an exact differential equation as a function of β. For integrable theories we can also compute the index thermodynamically, using the exact S -matrix. The equivalence of these two results implies a highly non-trivial equivalence of a set of coupled integral equations with these differential equations, among them Painleve III and the affine Toda equations.

Topological Order and Conformal Quantum Critical Points

Abstract We discuss a certain class of two-dimensional quantum systems which exhibit conventional order and topological order, as well as quantum critical points separating these phases. All of the ground-state equal-time correlators of these theories are equal to correlation functions of a local two-dimensional classical model. The critical points therefore exhibit a time-independent form of conformal invariance. These theories characterize the universality classes of two-dimensional quantum dimer models and of quantum generalizations of the eight-vertex model, as well as Z 2 and non-abelian gauge theories. The conformal quantum critical points are relatives of the Lifshitz points of three-dimensional anisotropic classical systems such as smectic liquid crystals. In particular, the ground-state wave functional of these quantum Lifshitz points is just the statistical (Gibbs) weight of the ordinary two-dimensional free boson, the two-dimensional Gaussian model. The full phase diagram for the quantum eight-vertex model exhibits quantum critical lines with continuously varying critical exponents separating phases with long-range order from a Z 2 deconfined topologically ordered liquid phase. We show how similar ideas also apply to a well-known field theory with non-Abelian symmetry, the strong-coupling limit of 2+1-dimensional Yang–Mills gauge theory with a Chern–Simons term. The ground state of this theory is relevant for recent theories of topological quantum computation.

Parafermionic edge zero modes in Zn-invariant spin chains

A sign of topological order in a gapped one-dimensional quantum chain is the existence of edge zero modes. These occur in the Z2-invariant Ising/Majorana chain, where they can be understood using free-fermion techniques. Here I discuss their presence in spin chains with Zn symmetry, and prove that for appropriate couplings they are exact, even in this strongly interacting system. These modes are naturally expressed in terms of parafermions, generalizations of fermions to the Zn case. I show that parafermionic edge zero modes do not occur in the usual ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic cases, but rather only when the interactions are chiral, so that spatial-parity and time-reversal symmetries are broken.

Universal topological quantum computation from a superconductor-abelian quantum hall heterostructure

Non-Abelian anyons promise to reveal spectacular features of quantum mechanics that could ultimately provide the foundation for a decoherence-free quantum computer. A key breakthrough in the pursuit of these exotic particles originated from Read and Greens observation that the Moore-Read quantum Hall state and a (relatively simple) two-dimensional p+ip superconductor both support so-called Ising non-Abelian anyons. Here we establish a similar correspondence between the Z_3 Read-Rezayi quantum Hall state and a novel two-dimensional superconductor in which charge-2e Cooper pairs are built from fractionalized quasiparticles. In particular, both phases harbor Fibonacci anyons that---unlike Ising anyons---allow for universal topological quantum computation solely through braiding. Using a variant of Teo and Kanes construction of non-Abelian phases from weakly coupled chains, we provide a blueprint for such a superconductor using Abelian quantum Hall states interlaced with an array of superconducting islands. Fibonacci anyons appear as neutral deconfined particles that lead to a two-fold ground-state degeneracy on a torus. In contrast to a p+ip superconductor, vortices do not yield additional particle types yet depending on non-universal energetics can serve as a trap for Fibonacci anyons. These results imply that one can, in principle, combine well-understood and widely available phases of matter to realize non-Abelian anyons with universal braid statistics. Numerous future directions are discussed, including speculations on alternative realizations with fewer experimental requirements.

Classical dimers on the triangular lattice

We study the classical hard-core dimer model on the triangular lattice. Following Kasteleyns fundamental theorem on planar graphs, this problem is soluble using Pfaffians. This model is particularly interesting for, unlike the dimer problems on the bipartite square and hexagonal lattices, its correlations are short ranged with a correlation length of less than one lattice constant. We compute the dimer-dimer and monomer-monomer correlators, and find that the model is deconfining: the monomer-monomer correlator falls off exponentially to a constant value

Lattice models with N=2 supersymmetry

0.1494\dots{},

Realizing non-Abelian statistics in time-reversal-invariant systems

only slightly below the nearest-neighbor value of

Lattice fermion models with supersymmetry

1/6.

Topological entanglement entropy from the holographic partition function

We also consider the anisotropic triangular lattice model in which the square lattice is perturbed by diagonal bonds of one orientation and small fugacity. We show that the model becomes noncritical immediately and that this perturbation is equivalent to adding a mass term to each of two Majorana fermions that are present in the long wavelength limit of the square lattice problem.

Topological Phases with Parafermions: Theory and Blueprints

We introduce lattice models with explicit N=2 supersymmetry. In these interacting models, the supersymmetry generators Q+/- yield the Hamiltonian H=(Q(+),Q(-)) on any graph. The degrees of freedom can be described as either fermions with hard cores, or as quantum dimers; the Hamiltonian of our simplest model contains a hopping term and a repulsive potential. We analyze these models using conformal field theory, the Bethe ansatz, and cohomology. The simplest model provides a manifestly supersymmetric lattice regulator for the supersymmetric point of the massless (1+1)-dimensional Thirring (Luttinger) model. Generalizations include a quantum monomer-dimer model on a two-leg ladder.