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Breakdown of topological protection by cavity vacuum fields in the integer quantum Hall effect
Felice Appugliese1, Josefine Enkner1, Gian Lorenzo Paravicini-Bagliani1
1Institute of Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8093, Switzerland.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 3, 2022
Summary
Vacuum fields in resonators disrupt quantum Hall effect in 2D electron gases. This cavity-mediated electron hopping breaks topological protection, offering new ways to engineer quantum materials.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Controlling electronic properties using cavity electromagnetic resonators is a frontier in physics.
- Quantum Hall effect is a topological phenomenon protecting electron transport in 2D electron gases.
- Vacuum field fluctuations can influence quantum phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the impact of enhanced vacuum field fluctuations on quantum Hall electron transport.
- Explore the breakdown of topological protection in the quantum Hall effect.
- Develop a platform for vacuum-field engineering to manipulate electron phases.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing subwavelength split-ring resonators to enhance vacuum field fluctuations.
- Experimentally studying electron transport in high-mobility two-dimensional electron gases.
- Analyzing cavity-mediated electron hopping and its effect on resistivity.
Main Results:
- Observed breakdown of topological protection in the integer quantum Hall effect.
- Demonstrated cavity-mediated long-range electron hopping induced by vacuum fluctuations.
- Showcased a finite resistivity arising from vacuum-induced effects.
Conclusions:
- Vacuum field engineering offers a novel method to control quantum phenomena in materials.
- The experimental platform is versatile and applicable to various two-dimensional materials.
- This work opens new avenues for manipulating electron phases through light-matter interactions.
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