Permutation Symmetric Critical Phases in Disordered Non-Abelian Anyonic Chains

TL;DR

This paper explores disordered non-abelian anyonic chains based on quantum groups, revealing they realize infinite randomness critical phases with permutation symmetry, relevant for topological quantum computation.

Contribution

It demonstrates that odd-$k$ non-abelian anyonic chains exhibit infinite randomness critical phases within the permutation symmetric universality class, stabilizing these phases via ${ m Z}_k$ symmetry.

Findings

Realization of infinite randomness critical phases in odd-$k$ chains

Identification of the ${ m Z}_k$ symmetry as stabilizing these phases

Connection to topological quantum computation candidates

Abstract

Topological phases supporting non-abelian anyonic excitations have been proposed as candidates for topological quantum computation. In this paper, we study disordered non-abelian anyonic chains based on the quantum groups $SU(2)_k$, a hierarchy that includes the $\nu=5/2$ FQH state and the proposed $\nu=12/5$ Fibonacci state, among others. We find that for odd $k$ these anyonic chains realize infinite randomness critical {\it phases} in the same universality class as the $S_k$ permutation symmetric multi-critical points of Damle and Huse (Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 277203 (2002)). Indeed, we show that the pertinent subspace of these anyonic chains actually sits inside the ${\mathbb Z}_k \subset S_k$ symmetric sector of the Damle-Huse model, and this ${\mathbb Z}_k$ symmetry stabilizes the phase.