Disordered superconductors in low dimensions provide an exemplary manifestation for the role of quantum fluctuations in a many-body system. Specifically in Josephson arrays with comparable Josephson and charging energies ( $E_J\sim E_C$ ), disorder tends to change the nature of the paradigmatic Superconductor-Insulator Transition (SIT) and potentially leads to formation of multiple distinct phases. We address this problem in a model of a two-legged Josephson ladder subjected to a wide spatial distribution of its parameters along the legs. In contrast, we assume the system to have a perfect $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry to interchange between the legs, and investigate the effects of spatial randomness which preserves this symmetry in the strong-disorder limit. To this end, we apply a strong randomness real-space renormalization group technique and explore the resulting phase diagram. We identify three disorder-dominated phases, including an intermediate phase between a disordered superconductor and a disordered insulator. The latter insulating phase can be mapped to a XY spin-chain in a spin glass phase, while the intermediate phase turns out to be a Bose glass.Disordered superconductors in low dimensions provide an exemplary manifestation for the role of quantum fluctuations in a many-body system. Specifically in Josephson arrays with comparable Josephson and charging energies ($E_J\sim E_C$), disorder tends to change the nature of the paradigmatic Superconductor-Insulator Transition (SIT) and potentially leads to formation of multiple distinct phases. We address this problem in a model of a two-legged Josephson ladder subjected to a wide spatial distribution of its parameters along the legs. In contrast, we assume the system to have a perfect $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry to interchange between the legs, and investigate the effects of spatial randomness which preserves this symmetry in the strong-disorder limit. To this end, we apply a strong randomness real-space renormalization group technique and explore the resulting phase diagram. We identify three disorder-dominated phases, including an intermediate phase between a disordered superconductor and a disordered insulator. The latter insulating phase can be mapped to a XY spin-chain in a spin glass phase, while the intermediate phase turns out to be a Bose glass.

arXiv:2512.19808Dec 22, 20250 citations

Quantum phases of a weakly disordered Josephson ladder

Eyal Walach, Efrat Shimshoni

The interplay of interactions and disorder in low-dimensional superconductors supports the formation of multiple quantum phases as possible instabilities of the superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) at a singular quantum critical point. We explore a one-dimensional model which exhibits such a variety of phases in the strongly quantum fluctuations regime. Specifically, we study the effect of weak disorder on a two-leg Josephson ladder with comparable Josephson and charging energies $({E}_{J}\ensuremath{\sim}{E}_{C})$. An additional key feature of our model is the requirement of perfect ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ symmetry, respected by all parameters including the disorder. Using a perturbative renormalization-group (RG) analysis, we derive the phase diagram and identify at least one intermediate phase between a full-fledged superconductor and a disorder-dominated insulator. Most prominently, for repulsive interactions on the rungs we identify two distinct mixed phases: In both of them the longitudinal charge mode is a gapless superconductor, however one phase exhibits a dipolar charge density order on the rungs, while the other is disordered. This latter phase is characterized by coexisting superconducting (phase-locked) and charge-ordered rungs, and encompasses the potential of evolving into a Griffith's phase characteristic of the random-field Ising model in the strong disorder limit.The interplay of interactions and disorder in low-dimensional superconductors supports the formation of multiple quantum phases as possible instabilities of the superconductor-insulator transition (SIT) at a singular quantum critical point. We explore a one-dimensional model which exhibits such a variety of phases in the strongly quantum fluctuations regime. Specifically, we study the effect of weak disorder on a two-leg Josephson ladder with comparable Josephson and charging energies $({E}_{J}\ensuremath{\sim}{E}_{C})$. An additional key feature of our model is the requirement of perfect ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ symmetry, respected by all parameters including the disorder. Using a perturbative renormalization-group (RG) analysis, we derive the phase diagram and identify at least one intermediate phase between a full-fledged superconductor and a disorder-dominated insulator. Most prominently, for repulsive interactions on the rungs we identify two distinct mixed phases: In both of them the longitudinal charge mode is a gapless superconductor, however one phase exhibits a dipolar charge density order on the rungs, while the other is disordered. This latter phase is characterized by coexisting superconducting (phase-locked) and charge-ordered rungs, and encompasses the potential of evolving into a Griffith's phase characteristic of the random-field Ising model in the strong disorder limit.

arXiv:2103.11501Physical review. B./Physical review. BJun 1, 20212 citations

Quantum and classical critical phenomena in the frustrated Heisenberg two-leg ladder

Brandon W. Ramakko, Mohamed Moussadek Azzouz

Feb 16, 20070 citations

Quantum phase transitions in a quarter-filled Hubbard ladder

R. Citro, E. Orignac

Physica C SuperconductivityApr 9, 20041 citation

Bond disorder in even-leg Heisenberg ladders

Kien Trinh, Stephan Haas

Random bond disorder in antiferromagnetic spin-1/2 Heisenberg ladders is investigated using the stochastic series expansion quantum Monte Carlo method. We find that the effects of individual bond impurities vary strongly, depending on their positions on legs and rungs. We initially focus on how the distribution of local bond energies depends on the impurity concentration. Then we study how the phase diagram of even-leg ladders is affected by random bond doping. We observe Bose glass phases in two regimes (${h}^{\ensuremath{'}}<h\ensuremath{\lesssim}{h}_{c1}$ and ${h}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}<h<{h}_{c2}$) and a Bose-Einstein Condensate in between. Their presence is discussed in relation to the local bond energies.Random bond disorder in antiferromagnetic spin-1/2 Heisenberg ladders is investigated using the stochastic series expansion quantum Monte Carlo method. We find that the effects of individual bond impurities vary strongly, depending on their positions on legs and rungs. We initially focus on how the distribution of local bond energies depends on the impurity concentration. Then we study how the phase diagram of even-leg ladders is affected by random bond doping. We observe Bose glass phases in two regimes (${h}^{\ensuremath{'}}<h\ensuremath{\lesssim}{h}_{c1}$ and ${h}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}<h<{h}_{c2}$) and a Bose-Einstein Condensate in between. Their presence is discussed in relation to the local bond energies.

arXiv:1211.7078Physical Review BFeb 22, 20134 citations

E_J\sim E_C

), disorder tends to change the nature of the paradigmatic Superconductor-Insulator Transition (SIT) and potentially leads to formation of multiple distinct phases. We address this problem in a model of a two-legged Josephson ladder subjected to a wide spatial distribution of its parameters along the legs. In contrast, we assume the system to have a perfect

\mathbb{Z}_2

symmetry to interchange between the legs, and investigate the effects of spatial randomness which preserves this symmetry in the strong-disorder limit. To this end, we apply a strong randomness real-space renormalization group technique and explore the resulting phase diagram. We identify three disorder-dominated phases, including an intermediate phase between a disordered superconductor and a disordered insulator. The latter insulating phase can be mapped to a XY spin-chain in a spin glass phase, while the intermediate phase turns out to be a Bose glass.

{\mathbb{Z}}_{2}

symmetry, respected by all parameters including the disorder. Using a perturbative renormalization-group (RG) analysis, we derive the phase diagram and identify at least one intermediate phase between a full-fledged superconductor and a disorder-dominated insulator. Most prominently, for repulsive interactions on the rungs we identify two distinct mixed phases: In both of them the longitudinal charge mode is a gapless superconductor, however one phase exhibits a dipolar charge density order on the rungs, while the other is disordered. This latter phase is characterized by coexisting superconducting (phase-locked) and charge-ordered rungs, and encompasses the potential of evolving into a Griffith's phase characteristic of the random-field Ising model in the strong disorder limit.