Inhomogeneous SSH models and the doubling of orthogonal polynomials

We analyze Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) models using the doubling method for orthogonal polynomial sequences. This approach yields the analytical spectrum and exact eigenstates of the models. We demonstrate that the standard SSH model is associated with the doubling of Chebyshev polynomials. Extending this technique to the doubling of other finite sequences enables the construction of Hamiltonians for inhomogeneous SSH models which are exactly solvable. We detail the specific cases associated with Krawtchouk and q <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> <mml:mi>q</mml:mi> </mml:math> -Racah polynomials. This work highlights the utility of polynomial-doubling techniques in obtaining exact solutions for physical models.

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Publication Details

Journal
SciPost Physics
Published
2026-05-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21468/scipostphys.20.5.124
Primary Topic
Mathematical functions and polynomials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Inhomogeneous SSH models and the doubling of orthogonal polynomials

Lucía Morey, Gilles Parez, Nicolas Crampé, Luc Vinet et al.
SciPost Physics
Mathematical functions and polynomials
article

Inhomogeneous SSH models and the doubling of orthogonal polynomials

Lucía Morey, Gilles Parez, Nicolas Crampé, Luc Vinet, Quentin Labriet
article en

Abstract

We analyze Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) models using the doubling method for orthogonal polynomial sequences. This approach yields the analytical spectrum and exact eigenstates of the models. We demonstrate that the standard SSH model is associated with the doubling of Chebyshev polynomials. Extending this technique to the doubling of other finite sequences enables the construction of Hamiltonians for inhomogeneous SSH models which are exactly solvable. We detail the specific cases associated with Krawtchouk and q <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> <mml:mi>q</mml:mi> </mml:math> -Racah polynomials. This work highlights the utility of polynomial-doubling techniques in obtaining exact solutions for physical models.

SciPost PhysicsVol. 20(5)
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Laboratoire d'Annecy de Physique Théorique (FR), Institute for the Conservation and Valorization of Cultural Heritage (SM), Université de Montréal (CA)
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Openalex Percentile: Top 97%
Mathematical functions and polynomials
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