Universality of Anderson transition in two-dimensional systems of symplectic symmetry class

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that in two-dimensional systems with spin-orbit coupling, particles with half-integer spins undergo Anderson transition, while integer spins remain localized, revealing a universal behavior across symplectic symmetry classes.

Contribution

It shows that Anderson transition occurs for half-integer spins in 2D symplectic systems, extending the understanding of localization phenomena across different spin values.

Findings

Half-integer spins exhibit Anderson transition.

Integer spins remain localized.

Transition belongs to symplectic universality class.

Abstract

We investigate localization of noninteracting particles with spins higher than 1/2 in a two-dimensional random potential in presence of spin-orbit coupling. We consider an integer spin ($s=1$) and a half-integer spin ($s=3/2$) belonging to orthogonal and symplectic symmetry classes, respectively. We show that particles with integer spin are localized and those with half-integer spin exhibit Anderson transition. The transition belongs to universality class of conventional symplectic model for spin-1/2 particles.