Boundary conformal field theory and tunneling of edge quasiparticles in non-Abelian topological states
- Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4714 (United States)
- Microsoft Research, Station Q, CNSI Building, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 (United States)
We explain how (perturbed) boundary conformal field theory allows us to understand the tunneling of edge quasiparticles in non-Abelian topological states. The coupling between a bulk non-Abelian quasiparticle and the edge is due to resonant tunneling to a zero mode on the quasiparticle, which causes the zero mode to hybridize with the edge. This can be reformulated as the flow from one conformally invariant boundary condition to another in an associated critical statistical mechanical model. Tunneling from one edge to another at a point contact can split the system in two, either partially or completely. This can be reformulated in the critical statistical mechanical model as the flow from one type of defect line to another. We illustrate these two phenomena in detail in the context of the {nu}=5/2 quantum Hall state and the critical Ising model. We briefly discuss the case of Fibonacci anyons and conclude by explaining the general formulation and its physical interpretation.
- OSTI ID:
- 21313059
- Journal Information:
- Annals of Physics (New York), Vol. 324, Issue 7; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.aop.2009.03.005; PII: S0003-4916(09)00060-8; Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-4916
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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