Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2406.09797 · Physical review. B./Physical review. B

Loop unitary and phase band topological invariant in generic multiband Chern insulators

Xi Wu, Ze Yang, Fuxiang Li

Published Dec 24, 2024• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Quench dynamics of topological phases has been studied in the past few years and dynamical topological invariants are formulated in different ways. Yet, most of these invariants are limited to minimal systems in which Hamiltonians are expanded by Gamma matrices. Here, we generalize the dynamical three-winding number in two-band systems into the one in generic multiband Chern insulators and prove that its value is equal to the difference of Chern numbers between postquench and prequench Hamiltonians. Moreover, we obtain an expression of this dynamical three-winding number represented by gapless fermions in phase bands depending only on the phase and its projectors, so it is generic for the quench of all multiband Chern insulators. Besides, we obtain a multifold fermion in the phase band in $(\mathbf{k},t)$ space by quenching a three-band model, which cannot happen for two-band models.

DOI
10.1103/physrevb.110.224304

Related papers

Topological Invariants for Quantum Quench Dynamics from Unitary Evolution

Haiping Hu, Erhai Zhao

Recent experiments began to explore the topological properties of quench dynamics, i.e., the time evolution following a sudden change in the Hamiltonian, via tomography of quantum gases in optical lattices. In contrast to the well-established theory for static band insulators or periodically driven systems, at present it is not clear whether, and how, topological invariants can be defined for a general quench of band insulators. Previous work solved a special case of this problem beautifully using Hopf mapping of two-band Hamiltonians in two dimensions. However, it only works for a topologically trivial initial state and is hard to generalize to multiband systems or other dimensions. Here we introduce the concept of loop unitary constructed from the unitary time-evolution operator and show its homotopy invariant fully characterizes the dynamical topology. For two-band systems in two dimensions, we prove that the invariant is precisely equal to the change in the Chern number across the quench, regardless of the initial state. We further show that the nontrivial dynamical topology manifests as hedgehog defects in the loop unitary and also as winding and linking of its eigenvectors along a curve where dynamical quantum phase transition occurs. This opens up a systematic route to classify and characterize quantum quench dynamics.

arXiv:1911.02211•Physical Review Letters•Apr 21, 2020•61 citations

Dynamical topology of quantum quenches in two dimensions

Haiping Hu, Erhai Zhao

Recent experiments began to explore the topological properties of quench dynamics, i.e. the time evolution following a sudden change in the Hamiltonian, via tomography of quantum gases in optical lattices. In contrast to the well established theory for static band insulators or periodically driven systems, at present it is not clear whether, and how, topological invariants can be defined for a general quench of band insulators. Previous work solved a special case of this problem beautifully using Hopf mapping of two-band Hamiltonians in two dimensions. But it only works for topologically trivial initial state and is hard to generalize to multiband systems or other dimensions. Here we introduce the concept of loop unitary constructed from the unitary time-evolution operator, and show its homotopy invariant fully characterizes the dynamical topology. For two-band systems in two dimensions, we prove that the invariant is precisely equal to the change in the Chern number across the quench regardless of the initial state. We further show that the nontrivial dynamical topology manifests as hedgehog defects in the loop unitary, and also as winding and linking of its eigenvectors along a curve where dynamical quantum phase transition occurs. This opens up a systematic route to classify and characterize quantum quench dynamics.

•Nov 6, 2019•0 citations

Topological quantum quench dynamics carrying arbitrary Hopf and second Chern numbers

Motohiko Ezawa

A quantum quench is a nonequilibrium dynamics governed by the unitary evolution. We propose a two-band model whose quench dynamics is characterized by an arbitrary Hopf number belonging to the homotopy group ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{3}({S}^{2})=\mathbb{Z}$. When we quench a system from an insulator with the Chern number ${C}_{i}\ensuremath{\in}{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{2}({S}^{2})=\mathbb{Z}$ to another insulator with the Chern number ${C}_{f}$, the preimage of the Hamiltonian vector forms links having the Hopf number ${C}_{f}\ensuremath{-}{C}_{i}$. We also investigate a quantum-quench dynamics for a four-band model carrying an arbitrary second Chern number $N\ensuremath{\in}{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{4}({S}^{4})=\mathbb{Z}$, which can be realized by quenching a three-dimensional topological insulator having the three-dimensional winding number $N\ensuremath{\in}{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{3}({S}^{3})=\mathbb{Z}$.

arXiv:1808.08069•Physical review. B./Physical review. B•Nov 9, 2018•22 citations

Quench dynamics of Hopf insulators

Haiping Hu, Chao Yang, Erhai Zhao

Hopf insulators are exotic topological states of matter outside the standard tenfold-way classification based on discrete symmetries. Its topology is captured by an integer invariant that describes the linking structures of the Hamiltonian in the three-dimensional momentum space. In this paper, we investigate the quantum dynamics of Hopf insulators across a sudden quench and show that the quench dynamics is characterized by a ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ invariant $\ensuremath{\nu}$ which reveals a rich interplay between quantum quench and static band topology. We construct the ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ topological invariant using the loop unitary operator and prove that $\ensuremath{\nu}$ relates the pre- and postquench Hopf invariants through $\ensuremath{\nu}=(\mathcal{L}\ensuremath{-}{\mathcal{L}}_{0})\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}mod\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}2$. The ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ nature of the dynamical invariant is in sharp contrast to the $\mathbb{Z}$ invariant for the quench dynamics of Chern insulators in two dimensions. The nontrivial dynamical topology is further attributed to the emergence of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ defects in the phase band of the loop unitary. These $\ensuremath{\pi}$ defects are generally closed curves in the momentum-time space, for example, as nodal rings carrying Hopf charge.

arXiv:1912.03436•Physical review. B./Physical review. B•Apr 24, 2020•9 citations

Linking invariant for the quench dynamics of a two-dimensional two-band Chern insulator

Xin Chen, Ce Wang, Jinlong Yu

We discuss the topological invariant in the ($2+1$)-dimensional quench dynamics of a two-dimensional two-band Chern insulator starting from a topological initial state (i.e., with a nonzero Chern number ${c}_{i}$), evolved by a postquench Hamiltonian (with Chern number ${c}_{f}$). This process is classified by the torus homotopy group ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{3}({S}^{2})$. In contrast to the process with ${c}_{i}=0$ studied in previous works, this process cannot be characterized by the Hopf invariant that is described by the sphere homotopy group ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{3}({S}^{2})=\mathbb{Z}$. It is possible, however, to calculate a variant of the Chern-Simons integral with a complementary part to cancel the Chern number of the initial spin configuration, which at the same time does not affect the ($2+1$)-dimensional topology. We show that the modified Chern-Simons integral gives rise to a topological invariant of this quench process, i.e., the linking invariant in the ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2{c}_{i}}$ class: $\ensuremath{\nu}=({c}_{f}\ensuremath{-}{c}_{i})\phantom{\rule{3.33333pt}{0ex}}mod\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}(2{c}_{i})$. We give concrete examples to illustrate this result and also show the detailed deduction to get this linking invariant.

arXiv:1904.12552•Physical Review A•Mar 10, 2020•17 citations

Scheme to Measure the Topological Number of a Chern Insulator from Quench Dynamics

Ce Wang, Pengfei Zhang, Xin Chen +2 more

We show how the topological number of a static Hamiltonian can be measured from a dynamical quench process. We focus on a two-band Chern insulator in two dimension, for instance, the Haldane model, whose dynamical process can be described by a mapping from the [k_{x},k_{y},t] space to the Bloch sphere, characterized by the Hopf invariant. Such a mapping has been constructed experimentally by measurements in cold atom systems. We show that, taking any two constant vectors on the Bloch sphere, their inverse images of this mapping are two trajectories in the [k_{x},k_{y},t] space, and the linking number of these two trajectories exactly equals the Chern number of the static Hamiltonian. Applying this result to a recent experiment from the Hamburg group, we show that the linking number of the trajectories of the phase vortices determines the phase boundary of the static Hamiltonian.

arXiv:1611.03304•Physical Review Letters•May 5, 2017•159 citations
Quench dynamics of topological phases has been studied in the past few years and dynamical topological invariants are formulated in different ways. Yet, most of these invariants are limited to minimal systems in which Hamiltonians are expanded by Gamma matrices. Here, we generalize the dynamical three-winding number in two-band systems into the one in generic multiband Chern insulators and prove that its value is equal to the difference of Chern numbers between postquench and prequench Hamiltonians. Moreover, we obtain an expression of this dynamical three-winding number represented by gapless fermions in phase bands depending only on the phase and its projectors, so it is generic for the quench of all multiband Chern insulators. Besides, we obtain a multifold fermion in the phase band in (k,t)(\mathbf{k},t)(k,t) space by quenching a three-band model, which cannot happen for two-band models.
Recent experiments began to explore the topological properties of quench dynamics, i.e., the time evolution following a sudden change in the Hamiltonian, via tomography of quantum gases in optical lattices. In contrast to the well-established theory for static band insulators or periodically driven systems, at present it is not clear whether, and how, topological invariants can be defined for a general quench of band insulators. Previous work solved a special case of this problem beautifully using Hopf mapping of two-band Hamiltonians in two dimensions. However, it only works for a topologically trivial initial state and is hard to generalize to multiband systems or other dimensions. Here we introduce the concept of loop unitary constructed from the unitary time-evolution operator and show its homotopy invariant fully characterizes the dynamical topology. For two-band systems in two dimensions, we prove that the invariant is precisely equal to the change in the Chern number across the quench, regardless of the initial state. We further show that the nontrivial dynamical topology manifests as hedgehog defects in the loop unitary and also as winding and linking of its eigenvectors along a curve where dynamical quantum phase transition occurs. This opens up a systematic route to classify and characterize quantum quench dynamics.
Recent experiments began to explore the topological properties of quench dynamics, i.e. the time evolution following a sudden change in the Hamiltonian, via tomography of quantum gases in optical lattices. In contrast to the well established theory for static band insulators or periodically driven systems, at present it is not clear whether, and how, topological invariants can be defined for a general quench of band insulators. Previous work solved a special case of this problem beautifully using Hopf mapping of two-band Hamiltonians in two dimensions. But it only works for topologically trivial initial state and is hard to generalize to multiband systems or other dimensions. Here we introduce the concept of loop unitary constructed from the unitary time-evolution operator, and show its homotopy invariant fully characterizes the dynamical topology. For two-band systems in two dimensions, we prove that the invariant is precisely equal to the change in the Chern number across the quench regardless of the initial state. We further show that the nontrivial dynamical topology manifests as hedgehog defects in the loop unitary, and also as winding and linking of its eigenvectors along a curve where dynamical quantum phase transition occurs. This opens up a systematic route to classify and characterize quantum quench dynamics.
A quantum quench is a nonequilibrium dynamics governed by the unitary evolution. We propose a two-band model whose quench dynamics is characterized by an arbitrary Hopf number belonging to the homotopy group ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{3}({S}^{2})=\mathbb{Z}$. When we quench a system from an insulator with the Chern number ${C}_{i}\ensuremath{\in}{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{2}({S}^{2})=\mathbb{Z}$ to another insulator with the Chern number Cf{C}_{f}Cf​, the preimage of the Hamiltonian vector forms links having the Hopf number ${C}_{f}\ensuremath{-}{C}_{i}$. We also investigate a quantum-quench dynamics for a four-band model carrying an arbitrary second Chern number $N\ensuremath{\in}{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{4}({S}^{4})=\mathbb{Z}$, which can be realized by quenching a three-dimensional topological insulator having the three-dimensional winding number $N\ensuremath{\in}{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{3}({S}^{3})=\mathbb{Z}$.
Hopf insulators are exotic topological states of matter outside the standard tenfold-way classification based on discrete symmetries. Its topology is captured by an integer invariant that describes the linking structures of the Hamiltonian in the three-dimensional momentum space. In this paper, we investigate the quantum dynamics of Hopf insulators across a sudden quench and show that the quench dynamics is characterized by a Z2{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}Z2​ invariant $\ensuremath{\nu}$ which reveals a rich interplay between quantum quench and static band topology. We construct the Z2{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}Z2​ topological invariant using the loop unitary operator and prove that $\ensuremath{\nu}$ relates the pre- and postquench Hopf invariants through $\ensuremath{\nu}=(\mathcal{L}\ensuremath{-}{\mathcal{L}}_{0})\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}mod\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}2$. The Z2{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}Z2​ nature of the dynamical invariant is in sharp contrast to the Z\mathbb{Z}Z invariant for the quench dynamics of Chern insulators in two dimensions. The nontrivial dynamical topology is further attributed to the emergence of $\ensuremath{\pi}$ defects in the phase band of the loop unitary. These $\ensuremath{\pi}$ defects are generally closed curves in the momentum-time space, for example, as nodal rings carrying Hopf charge.
We discuss the topological invariant in the (2+12+12+1)-dimensional quench dynamics of a two-dimensional two-band Chern insulator starting from a topological initial state (i.e., with a nonzero Chern number ci{c}_{i}ci​), evolved by a postquench Hamiltonian (with Chern number cf{c}_{f}cf​). This process is classified by the torus homotopy group ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{3}({S}^{2})$. In contrast to the process with ci=0{c}_{i}=0ci​=0 studied in previous works, this process cannot be characterized by the Hopf invariant that is described by the sphere homotopy group ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{3}({S}^{2})=\mathbb{Z}$. It is possible, however, to calculate a variant of the Chern-Simons integral with a complementary part to cancel the Chern number of the initial spin configuration, which at the same time does not affect the (2+12+12+1)-dimensional topology. We show that the modified Chern-Simons integral gives rise to a topological invariant of this quench process, i.e., the linking invariant in the Z2ci{\mathbb{Z}}_{2{c}_{i}}Z2ci​​ class: $\ensuremath{\nu}=({c}_{f}\ensuremath{-}{c}_{i})\phantom{\rule{3.33333pt}{0ex}}mod\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}(2{c}_{i})$. We give concrete examples to illustrate this result and also show the detailed deduction to get this linking invariant.
We show how the topological number of a static Hamiltonian can be measured from a dynamical quench process. We focus on a two-band Chern insulator in two dimension, for instance, the Haldane model, whose dynamical process can be described by a mapping from the [k_{x},k_{y},t] space to the Bloch sphere, characterized by the Hopf invariant. Such a mapping has been constructed experimentally by measurements in cold atom systems. We show that, taking any two constant vectors on the Bloch sphere, their inverse images of this mapping are two trajectories in the [k_{x},k_{y},t] space, and the linking number of these two trajectories exactly equals the Chern number of the static Hamiltonian. Applying this result to a recent experiment from the Hamburg group, we show that the linking number of the trajectories of the phase vortices determines the phase boundary of the static Hamiltonian.