Topological edge states in the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model subject to balanced particle gain and loss

TL;DR

This paper explores how topological edge states in the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model behave under balanced particle gain and loss, revealing dynamics consistent with complex PT-symmetric potentials and distinguishing topological phases.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the dynamics of the density matrix under gain and loss align with PT-symmetric potential models, highlighting topological distinctions in non-Hermitian conditions.

Findings

Dynamics match PT-symmetric predictions

Topological phases show distinct behavior

Edge states are robust under gain and loss

Abstract

We investigate the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in presence of an injection and removal of particles, introduced via a master equation in Lindblad form. It is shown that the dynamics of the density matrix follows the predictions of calculations in which the gain and loss are modeled by complex $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric potentials. In particular it is found that there is a clear distinction in the dynamics between the topologically different cases known from the stationary eigenstates.