Electron fractionalization for two-dimensional Dirac fermions

Claudio Chamon, Chang-Yu Hou, Roman Jackiw, Christopher Mudry, So-Young Pi, and Gordon Semenoff
Phys. Rev. B 77, 235431 – Published 20 June 2008

Abstract

Fermion-number fractionalization without breaking the time-reversal symmetry was recently demonstrated for a field theory in (2+1)-dimensional space and time that describes the couplings between massive Dirac fermions, a complex-valued Higgs field carrying an axial gauge charge of 2, and a U(1) axial gauge field. Charge fractionalization occurs whenever the Higgs field either supports vortices by itself or when these vortices are accompanied by half vortices in the axial gauge field. The fractional charge is computed by three different techniques. A formula for the fractional charge is given as a function of a parameter in the Dirac Hamiltonian that breaks the spectral energy-reflection symmetry. In the presence of a charge ±1 vortex in the Higgs field, only the fractional charge continuously varies and, thus, can take irrational values. The simultaneous presence of a half vortex in the axial gauge field and a charge ±1 vortex in the Higgs field rerationalizes the fractional charge to the value 1/2.

  • Figure
  • Received 15 February 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.77.235431

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Claudio Chamon1,2, Chang-Yu Hou1, Roman Jackiw2, Christopher Mudry3, So-Young Pi1, and Gordon Semenoff4

  • 1Physics Department, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
  • 3Condensed Matter Theory Group, Paul Scherrer Institut, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
  • 4Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 77, Iss. 23 — 15 June 2008

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×