Disconnected and multiply connected spectra in the 2D attractive Hubbard model

TL;DR

This paper shows how strong correlations in the 2D attractive Hubbard model can alter the excitation spectrum topology, leading to disconnected and multiply connected spectra that resemble Fermi arcs observed in cuprates.

Contribution

It introduces a generic mechanism for spectrum topology change due to correlations, demonstrated via diagrammatic Monte Carlo simulations in the Hubbard model.

Findings

Existence of disconnected spectra in the BCS-BEC crossover regime.

Correlation effects can induce topologically nontrivial spectra.

Spectra topology change is linked to Fermi arc phenomena.

Abstract

Fermi gases and liquids display an excitation spectrum that is simply connected, ensuring closed Fermi surfaces. In strongly correlated systems like the cuprate superconductors, the existence of open sheets of Fermi surface known as Fermi arcs indicates a distinctly different topology of the spectrum with no equivalent in Fermi liquid theory. Here, we demonstrate a generic mechanism by which correlation effects in fermionic systems can change the topology of the spectrum. Using diagrammatic Monte Carlo simulations, we demonstrate the existence of disconnected and multiply connected excitation spectra in the attractive Hubbard model in the BCS-BEC cross-over regime. These topologically nontrivial spectra are a prerequisite for Fermi arcs.