Yuan-Ming Lu

Bio: Yuan-Ming Lu is an academic researcher from Ohio State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Topological insulator & Quantum spin liquid. The author has an hindex of 26, co-authored 75 publications receiving 3134 citations. Previous affiliations of Yuan-Ming Lu include Boston College & Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Quantum Hall effects in a Weyl semimetal: Possible application in pyrochlore iridates

Abstract: There has been much interest in pyrochlore iridates A${}_{2}$Ir${}_{2}$O${}_{7}$ where both strong spin-orbital coupling and strong correlation are present. A recent local density approximation calculation [X. Wan, A. M. Turner, A. Vishwanath, and S. Y. Savrasov, Phys. Rev. B 83, 205101 (2011)] suggests that the system is likely in a three-dimensional topological semimetallic phase: a Weyl semimetal. Such a system has zero carrier density and arrives at the quantum limit even in a weak magnetic field. In this paper, we discuss two quantum effects of this system in a magnetic field: a pressure-induced anomalous Hall effect and a magnetic-field-induced charge density wave at the pinned wave vector connecting Weyl nodes with opposite chiralities. A general formula of the anomalous Hall coefficients in a Weyl semimetal is also given. Both proposed effects can be probed by experiments in the near future and can be used to detect the Weyl semimetal phase.

Theory and classification of interacting integer topological phases in two dimensions: A Chern-Simons approach

Abstract: We study topological phases of interacting systems in two spatial dimensions in the absence of topological order (i.e., with a unique ground state on closed manifolds and no fractional excitations). These are the closest interacting analogs of integer quantum Hall states, topological insulators, and superconductors. We adapt the well-known Chern-Simons $K$-matrix description of quantum Hall states to classify such ``integer'' topological phases. Our main result is a general formalism that incorporates symmetries into the $K$-matrix description. Remarkably, this simple analysis yields the same list of topological phases as a recent group cohomology classification, and in addition provides field theories and explicit edge theories for all these phases. The bosonic topological phases, which only appear in the presence of interactions and which remain well defined in the presence of disorder, include (i) bosonic insulators with a Hall conductance quantized to even integers, (ii) a bosonic analog of quantum spin Hall insulators, and (iii) a bosonic analog of a chiral topological superconductor, whose $K$ matrix is the Cartan matrix of Lie group ${E}_{8}$. We also discuss interacting fermion systems where symmetries are realized in a projective fashion, where we find the present formalism can handle a wider range of symmetries than a recent group super-cohomology classification. Lastly, we construct microscopic models of these phases from coupled one-dimensional systems.

Topological crystalline metal in orthorhombic perovskite iridates

Abstract: Since topological insulators were theoretically predicted and experimentally observed in semiconductors with strong spin–orbit coupling, increasing attention has been drawn to topological materials that host exotic surface states. These surface excitations are stable against perturbations since they are protected by global or spatial/lattice symmetries. Following the success in achieving various topological insulators, a tempting challenge now is to search for metallic materials with novel topological properties. Here we predict that orthorhombic perovskite iridates realize a new class of metals dubbed topological crystalline metals, which support zero-energy surface states protected by certain lattice symmetry. These surface states can be probed by photoemission and tunnelling experiments. Furthermore, we show that by applying magnetic fields, the topological crystalline metal can be driven into other topological metallic phases, with different topological properties and surface states. Topological insulators are insulators in the bulk, but can support conducting states on their surface. Here, Chen et al. predict orthorhombic perovskite iridates to be topological crystalline metals, exhibiting bulk metallic behaviour and surface states protected by certain crystal symmetries.

High-Temperature Majorana Corner States.

Abstract: Majorana bound states often occur at the end of a 1D topological superconductor. Validated by a new bulk invariant and an intuitive edge argument, we show the emergence of one Majorana Kramers pair at each corner of a square-shaped 2D topological insulator proximitized by an s_{±}-wave (e.g., Fe-based) superconductor. We obtain a phase diagram that addresses the relaxation of crystal symmetry and edge orientation. We propose two experimental realizations in candidate materials. Our scheme offers a higher-order and higher-temperature route for exploring non-Abelian quasiparticles.

Superconductivity of doped Weyl semimetals: Finite-momentum pairing and electronic analog of the 3 He-A phase

Abstract: We study superconducting states of doped inversion-symmetric Weyl semimetals Specifically, we consider a lattice model realizing a Weyl semimetal with an inversion symmetry and study the superconducting instability in the presence of a short-ranged attractive interaction With a phonon-mediated attractive interaction, we find two competing states: a fully gapped finite-momentum Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov pairing state and a nodal even-parity pairing state We show that, in a BCS-type approximation, the finite-momentum pairing state is energetically favored over the usual even-parity paired state and is robust against weak disorder Although energetically unfavorable, the even-parity pairing state provides an electronic analog of the ${}^{3}$He-$A$ phase in that the nodes of the even-parity state carry nontrivial winding numbers and therefore support a surface flat band We briefly discuss other possible superconducting states that may be realized in Weyl semimetals

Weyl and Dirac semimetals in three-dimensional solids

Abstract: Weyl and Dirac semimetals are three-dimensional phases of matter with gapless electronic excitations that are protected by topology and symmetry. As three-dimensional analogs of graphene, they have generated much recent interest. Deep connections exist with particle physics models of relativistic chiral fermions, and, despite their gaplessness, to solid-state topological and Chern insulators. Their characteristic electronic properties lead to protected surface states and novel responses to applied electric and magnetic fields. The theoretical foundations of these phases, their proposed realizations in solid-state systems, and recent experiments on candidate materials as well as their relation to other states of matter are reviewed.

Classification of topological quantum matter with symmetries

Abstract: In recent years an increasing amount of attention has been devoted to quantum materials with topological characteristics that are robust against disorder and other perturbations. In this context it was discovered that topological materials can be classified with respect to their dimension and symmetry properties. This review provides an overview of the classification schemes of both fully gapped and gapless topological materials and gives a pedagogical introduction into the field of topological band theory.

Discovery of a Three-Dimensional Topological Dirac Semimetal, Na3Bi

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) represent an unusual state of quantum matter that can be viewed as “3D graphene.” In contrast to 2D Dirac fermions in graphene or on the surface of 3D topological insulators, TDSs possess 3D Dirac fermions in the bulk. By investigating the electronic structure of Na 3 Bi with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we detected 3D Dirac fermions with linear dispersions along all momentum directions. Furthermore, we demonstrated the robustness of 3D Dirac fermions in Na 3 Bi against in situ surface doping. Our results establish Na 3 Bi as a model system for 3D TDSs, which can serve as an ideal platform for the systematic study of quantum phase transitions between rich topological quantum states.