Geometric origin of self-intersection points in non-Hermitian energy spectra
Unlike Hermitian systems, non-Hermitian energy spectra under periodic boundary conditions can form closed loops in the complex energy plane, a phenomenon known as the point-gap topology. In this paper, we investigate the self-intersection points of such non-Hermitian energy spectra and reveal their geometric origins. We rigorously demonstrate that these self-intersection points result from the intersection of the auxiliary generalized Brillouin zone and the Brillouin zone in one-band systems, as confirmed by an extended Hatano-Nelson model. This finding is further generalized to multiband systems, illustrated through a non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. Moreover, we address multiple self-intersection points and derive the geometric conditions for general $n$-fold self-intersection points. Our results enhance the fundamental understanding of generic non-Hermitian quantum systems and provide theoretical support for further experimental investigations of energy self-intersection points.
Authors
- Yangqian Yan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3237-5945)
- Jinghui Pi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6899-8132)
- Yong‐Chun Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5614-8782)
- Chenyang Wang
Institutions
- Chinese University of Hong Kong (HK)
- State Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Quantum Physics
- Tsinghua University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical review. B./Physical review. B
- Published
- 2025-04-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.111.165407
- Primary Topic
- Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Research Grants Council, University Grants Committee
- National Key Research and Development Program of China