Model States for a Class of Chiral Topological Order Interfaces

TL;DR

This paper develops a tensor network-based model to study interfaces between topologically distinct quantum phases, revealing universal properties and microscopic features of gapless interface modes.

Contribution

It introduces a family of model wavefunctions for topological interfaces using matrix product states, capturing both universal and microscopic physics.

Findings

Identifies the central charge of the gapless interface mode

Reveals microscopic features of the interface

Captures low energy physics of relevant Hamiltonians

Abstract

Interfaces between topologically distinct phases of matter reveal a remarkably rich phenomenology. To go beyond effective field theories, we study the prototypical example of such an interface between two Abelian states, namely the Laughlin and Halperin states. Using matrix product states, we propose a family of model wavefunctions for the whole system including both bulks and the interface. We show through extensive numerical studies that it unveils both the universal properties of the system, such as the central charge of the gapless interface mode and its microscopic features. It also captures the low energy physics of experimentally relevant Hamiltonians. Our approach can be generalized to other phases described by tensor networks.