Phase transitions and pattern formation in ensembles of phase-amplitude solitons in quasi-one-dimensional electronic systems

Abstract

Most common types of symmetry breaking in quasi-one-dimensional electronic systems possess a combined manifold of states degenerate with respect to both the phase $\theta$ and the amplitude $A$ sign of the order parameter $A\exp (i\theta )$. These degrees of freedom can be controlled or accessed independently via either the spin polarization or the charge densities. To understand statistical properties and the phase diagram in the course of cooling under the controlled parameters, we present here an analytical treatment supported by Monte Carlo simulations for a generic coarse-grained two-fields model of XY-Ising type. The degeneracies give rise to two coexisting types of topologically nontrivial configurations: phase vortices and amplitude kinks -- the solitons. In 2D, 3D states with long-range (or BKT type) orders, the topological confinement sets in at a temperature $T=T_1$ which binds together the kinks and unusual half-integer vortices. At a lower $T=T_2$, the solitons start to aggregate into walls formed as rods of amplitude kinks which are ultimately terminated by half-integer vortices. With lowering $T$, the walls multiply passing sequentially across the sample. The presented results indicate a possible physical realization of a peculiar system of half-integer vortices with rods of amplitude kinks connecting their cores. Its experimental realization becomes feasible in view of recent successes in real space observations and even manipulations of domain walls in correlated electronic systems.

References in corpus (15)

• Ultrafast switching to a stable hidden topologically protected quantum state in an electronic crystal
• Electronic crystals: an experimental overview
• A metallic mosaic phase and the origin of Mott insulating state in 1T-TaS2
• Nanoscale manipulation of the Mott insulating state coupled to charge order in 1T-TaS2
• Fast non-thermal switching between macroscopic charge-ordered quantum states induced by charge injection
• Topological Solitons versus Non-Solitonic Phase Defects in Quasi-One-Dimensional Charge Density Wave
• NMR imaging of the soliton lattice profile in the spin-Peierls compound CuGeO_3
• Boson pairing and unusual criticality in a generalized XY model
• Deconfinement transitions in a generalised XY model
• Spontaneous formation of a pi soliton in a superconducting wire with an odd number of electrons
• New Routes to Solitons in Quasi One-Dimensional Conductors
• Statistics of charged solitons and formation of stripes
• Phase transitions in ensembles of solitons induced by an optical pumping or a strong electric field
• Topological Defects in Spin Density Waves
• Statistical properties of charged interfaces

Cited by in corpus (1)

• Phase slips, dislocations, half-integer vortices, two-fluid hydrodynamics and the chiral anomaly in charge and spin density waves