It was known that for non-Hermitian topological systems due to the non-Hermitian skin effect, the bulk-edge correspondence is broken down. In this paper, by using one-dimensional Su-SchriefferHeeger model and two-dimensional (deformed) Qi-Wu-Zhang model as examples, we focus on a special type of non-Hermitian topological system without non-Hermitian skin effect-topological systems under non-Hermitian similarity transformation. In these non-Hermitian systems, the defective edge states and the breakdown of bulk-edge correspondence are discovered. To characterize the topological properties, we introduce a new type of inversion symmetry-protected topological invariant-total Z2 topological invariant. In topological phases, defective edge states appear. With the help of the effective edge Hamiltonian, we find that the defective edge states are protected by (generalized) chiral symmetry and thus the (singular) defective edge states are unstable against the perturbation breaking the chiral symmetry. In addition, the results are generalized to nonHermitian topological insulators with inversion symmetry in higher dimensions. This work could help people to understand the defective edge states and the breakdown of bulk-edge correspondence for non-Hermitian topological systems.
Non-Hermitian topological systems show quite different properties as their Hermitian counterparts. An important, puzzled issue on non-Hermitian topological systems is the existence of defective edge states beyond usual bulk-boundary correspondence (BBC) that localize either on the left edge or the right edge of the one-dimensional system. In this paper, to understand the existence of the defective edge states, the theory of anomalous bulk-boundary correspondence (A-BBC) is developed that distinguishes the non-Bloch bulk-boundary correspondence (NB-BBC) from non-Hermitian skin effect. By using …
We develop a systematically general theory of one-dimensional (1D) non-Hermitian systems, elaborating on the energy bands, the band degeneracy, and the defectiveness of eigenstates under open boundary conditions. We analyze the band degeneracy and defectiveness of two typical 1D non-Hermitian models. We obtain the unusual presence and absence of the exceptional points in the generalized non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model under open boundary conditions. Beyond the general theory, we discover that infernal points exist in 1D non-Hermitian systems, where the energy spectra under open bounda…
Non-Hermitian degeneracies are classified as defective and nondefective exceptional points~(EP). While in defective EPs, both eigenvalues and eigenenergies coalesce, nondefective EPs are characterized merely by the occurrence of degeneracies in their eigenvalues. It is also known that all degeneracies are either symmetry-protected or accidental. In this paper, I prove that anti-unitary symmetries protect all nondefective twofold EPs. By developing a 2D non-Hermitian tight-binding model, I have demonstrated that these symmetries are composite of various symmetry operations such as discrete or s…
We consider a 3-dimensional (3D) non-Hermitian exceptional line semimetal model and take open boundary conditions in x, y, and z directions separately. In each case, we calculate the parameter regions where the bulk-boundary correspondence is broken. The breakdown of the bulk-boundary correspondence is manifested by the deviation from unit circles of generalized Brillouin zones (GBZ) and the discrepancy between spectra calculated with open boundary conditions (OBC) and periodic boundary conditions (PBC). The consistency between OBC and PBC spectra can be recovered if the PBC spectra are calcul…
We investigate novel features of three dimensional non-Hermitian Weyl semimetals, paying special attention to its unconventional bulk-boundary correspondence. We use the non-Bloch Chern numbers as the tool to obtain the topological phase diagram, which is also confirmed by the energy spectra from our numerical results. It is shown that, in sharp contrast to Hermitian systems, the conventional (Bloch) bulk-boundary correspondence breaks down in non-Hermitian topological semimetals, which is caused by the non-Hermitian skin effect. We establish the non-Bloch bulk-boundary correspondence for non-…
Bulk-boundary correspondence is the cornerstone of topological physics. In some non-Hermitian topological system this fundamental relation is broken in the sense that the topological number calculated for the Bloch energy band under the periodic boundary condition fails to reproduce the boundary properties under the open boundary. To restore the bulk-boundary correspondence in such non-Hermitian systems a framework beyond the Bloch band theory is needed. We develop a non-Hermitian Bloch band theory based on a modified periodic boundary condition that allows a proper description of the bulk of …
Topological edge modes are excitations that are localized at the materials' edges and yet are characterized by a topological invariant defined in the bulk. Such bulk-edge correspondence has enabled the creation of robust electronic, electromagnetic and mechanical transport properties across a wide range of systems, from cold atoms to metamaterials, active matter and geophysical flows. Recently, the advent of non-Hermitian topological systems---wherein energy is not conserved---has sparked considerable theoretical advances. In particular, novel topological phases that can only exist in non-Herm…
A modified periodic boundary condition adequate for non-hermitian topological systems is proposed. Under this boundary condition a topological number characterizing the system is defined in the same way as in the corresponding hermitian system and hence, at the cost of introducing an additional parameter that characterizes the non-hermitian skin effect, the idea of bulk-edge correspondence in the hermitian limit can be applied almost as it is. We develop this framework through the analysis of a non-hermitian SSH model with chiral symmetry, and prove the bulk-edge correspondence in a generalize…
In this paper, we review our non-Bloch band theory in one-dimensional non-Hermitian tight-binding systems. In our theory, it is shown that in non-Hermitian systems, the Brillouin zone is determined so as to reproduce continuum energy bands in a large open chain. By using simple models, we explain the concept of the non-Bloch band theory and the method to calculate the Brillouin zone. In particular, for the non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, the bulk-edge correspondence can be established between the topological invariant defined from our theory and existence of the topological edge stat…
We address the breakdown of the bulk-boundary correspondence observed in non-Hermitian systems, where open and periodic systems can have distinct phase diagrams. The correspondence can be completely restored by considering the Hamiltonian's singular value decomposition instead of its eigendecomposition. This leads to a natural topological description in terms of a flattened singular decomposition. This description is equivalent to the usual approach for Hermitian systems and coincides with a recent proposal for the classification of non-Hermitian systems. We generalize the notion of the entang…
A non-Hermitian Chern insulator with gain/loss-type non-Hermiticity shows a peculiar gap closing; when a nontrivial Chern insulator phase changes to a gapless phase, conduction and valence bands are combined into one band owing to destabilization of chiral edge states. A previous recipe of non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence is insufficient for this system since such a gap closing is beyond its scope. Here, we revise the recipe by taking the peculiar gap closing into account and apply it to the non-Hermitian Chern insulator. We demonstrate that the bulk-boundary correspondence holds in …
Bulk-boundary correspondence, a central principle in topological matter relating bulk topological invariants to edge states, breaks down in a generic class of non-Hermitian systems that have so far eluded experimental effort. Here we theoretically predict and experimentally observe non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence, a fundamental generalization of the conventional bulk-boundary correspondence, in discrete-time non-unitary quantum-walk dynamics of single photons. We experimentally demonstrate photon localizations near boundaries even in the absence of topological edge states, thus conf…
A scenario of non-Hermitian bulk--boundary correspondence proposed for one-dimensional topological insulators is adapted to a non-Hermitian Chern insulator to examine its applicability to two-dimensional systems. This scenario employs bulk geometry under a modified periodic boundary condition and boundary geometry under an open boundary condition. The bulk geometry is used to define a topological number, whereas the boundary geometry is used to observe the presence or absence of a topological boundary state. It is demonstrated that the bulk--boundary correspondence holds in a two-dimensional C…
The breakdown of the bulk-boundary correspondence in non-Hermitian (NH) topological systems is an open, controversial issue. In this paper, to resolve this issue, we ask the following question: Can a (global) topological invariant completely describe the topological properties of a NH system as its Hermitian counterpart? Our answer is no. One cannot use a global topological invariant (including non-Bloch topological invariant) to accurately characterize the topological properties of the NH systems. Instead, there exist a new type of topological invariants that are absence in its Hermitian coun…
Bulk-boundary correspondence, connecting the bulk topology and the edge states, is an essential principle of the topological phases. However, the bulk-boundary correspondence is broken down in general non-Hermitian systems. In this paper, we construct one-dimensional non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model with periodic driving that exhibits non-Hermitian skin effect: all the eigenstates are localized at the boundary of the systems, whether the bulk states or the zero and the $π$ modes. To capture the topological properties, the non-Bloch winding numbers are defined by the non-Bloch periodize…
The search of topological states in non-Hermitian systems has gained a strong momentum over the last two years climbing to the level of an emergent research front. In this Perspective we give an overview with a focus in connecting this topic to others like Floquet systems. Furthermore, using a simple scattering picture we discuss an interpretation of concepts like the Hamiltonian's defectiveness, i.e. the lack of a full basis of eigenstates, crucial in many discussions of topological phases of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians.
Recently, topological quantum states of non-Hermitian systems, exhibiting rich new exotic states, have attracted great attention in condensed-matter physics. As for the demonstration, most of non-Hermitian topological phenomena previously focused on are in one- and two-dimensional systems. Here, we investigate three-dimensional non-Hermitian nodal-line semimetals in the presence of a particle gain-and-loss perturbation. It is found that this perturbation will split the original nodal ring into two exceptional rings (ERs). The topological nature of the bulk electronic structure is characterized…
In previous studies, the topological invariants of 1D non-Hermitian systems have been defined in open boundary condition (OBC) to satisfy the bulk-boundary correspondence. The extreme sensitivity of bulk energy spectra to boundary conditions has been attributed to the breakdown of the conventional bulk-boundary correspondence based on the topological invariants defined under periodic boundary condition (PBC). Here we propose non-Hermitian many-body polarization as a topological invariant for 1D non-Hermitian systems defined in PBC, which satisfies the bulk-boundary correspondence. Employing ma…
The conventional bulk-boundary correspondence breaks down in non-Hermitian systems. In this paper, we reestablish the bulk-boundary correspondence in one-dimensional non-Hermitian systems by applying the scattering theory, which is a systematical way in various symmetry classes. Based on the scattering theory, it is discovered that the topological invariant can be obtained by solving a generalized eigenproblem without calculating the generalized Brillouin zone. As a direct consequence, we unveil a new type of topological phase transition without typical bulk enengy gap closing and an unstable …
We establish exact relations between the winding of "energy" (eigenvalue of Hamiltonian) on the complex plane as momentum traverses the Brillouin zone with periodic boundary condition, and the presence of "skin modes" with open boundary condition in non-hermitian systems. We show that the nonzero winding with respect to any complex reference energy leads to the presence of skin modes, and vice versa. We also show that both the nonzero winding and the presence of skin modes share the common physical origin that is the non-vanishing current through the system.
The bulk-boundary correspondence (BBC), i.e. the direct relation between bulk topological invariants defined for infinite periodic systems and the occurrence of protected zero-energy surface states in finite samples, is a ubiquitous and widely observed phenomenon in topological matter. In non-Hermitian generalizations of topological systems, however, this fundamental correspondence has recently been found to be qualitatively altered, largely owing to the sensitivity of non-Hermitian eigenspectra to changing the boundary conditions. In this work, we report on two contributions towards comprehen…
In this paper, based on a non-Hermitian toric-code model, we surprisingly find that the degeneracy of ground states can be changed by a local non-Hermitian perturbation (even in thermodynamic limit). We call it non-Hermitian avalanche effect. As the physics consequences of the non-Hermitian avalanche effect, a correspondence between bulk quasi-particles and topologically protected degenerate ground states for Z2 topological order is borken down. In addition, the PT symmetry breaking transition of the topologically degenerate ground states subspace can be observed by fidelity susceptibility.
The topology of non-Hermitian systems is drastically shaped by the non-Hermitian skin effect, which leads to the generalized bulk-boundary correspondence and non-Bloch band theory. The essential part in formulations of bulk-boundary correspondence is a general and computable definition of topological invariants. In this paper, we introduce a construction of non-Hermitian topological invariants based directly on real-space wavefunctions, which provides a general and straightforward approach for determining non-Hermitian topology. As an illustration, we apply this formulation to several represen…
When analyzing non-Hermitian lattice systems, the standard eigenmode decomposition utilized for the analysis of Hermitian systems must be replaced by Jordan decomposition. This approach enables us to identify the correct number of the left and right eigenstates of a large finite-sized lattice system, and to form a complete basis for calculating the resonant excitation of the system. Specifically, we derive the procedure for applying Jordan decomposition to a system with spectrally-isolated states. We use a non-Hermitian quadrupole insulator with zero-energy corner states as an example of a lar…
Asymmetric coupling amplitudes effectively create an imaginary gauge field, which induces a non-Hermitian Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect. Nonzero imaginary magnetic flux invalidates the bulk-boundary correspondence and leads to a topological phase transition. However, the way of non-Hermiticity appearance may alter the system topology. By alternatively introducing the non-Hermiticity under symmetry to prevent nonzero imaginary magnetic flux, the bulk-boundary correspondence recovers and every bulk state becomes extended; the bulk topology of Bloch Hamiltonian predicts the (non)existence of edge sta…
This work introduces a new class of robust states known as Exceptional Boundary (EB) states, which are distinct from the well-known topological and non-Hermitian skin boundary states. EB states occur in the presence of exceptional points, which are non-Hermitian critical points where eigenstates coalesce and fail to span the Hilbert space. This eigenspace defectiveness not only limits the accessibility of state information, but also interplays with long-range order to give rise to singular propagators only possible in non-Hermitian settings. Their resultant EB eigenstates are characterized by …
The hallmark of symmetry-protected topological (SPT) phases is the existence of anomalous boundary states, which can only be realized with the corresponding bulk system. In this work, we show that for every Hermitian anomalous boundary mode of the ten Altland-Zirnbauer classes, a non-Hermitian counterpart can be constructed, whose long time dynamics provides a realization of the anomalous boundary state. We prove that the non-Hermitian counterpart is characterized by a point-gap topological invariant, and furthermore, that the invariant exactly matches that of the corresponding Hermitian anoma…
Genuinely non-Hermitian topological phases can be realized in open systems with sufficiently strong gain and loss; in such phases, the Hamiltonian cannot be deformed into a gapped Hermitian Hamiltonian without energy bands touching each other. Comparing Green functions for periodic and open boundary conditions we find that, in general, there is no correspondence between topological invariants computed for periodic boundary conditions, and boundary eigenstates observed for open boundary conditions. Instead, we find that the non-Hermitian winding number in one dimension signals a topological pha…
Non-Hermitian systems exhibit striking exceptions from the paradigmatic bulk-boundary correspondence, including the failure of bulk Bloch band invariants in predicting boundary states and the (dis)appearance of boundary states at parameter values far from those corresponding to gap closings in periodic systems without boundaries. Here, we provide a comprehensive framework to unravel this disparity based on the notion of biorthogonal quantum mechanics: While the properties of the left and right eigenstates corresponding to boundary modes are individually decoupled from the bulk physics in non-H…
The bulk-boundary correspondence is among the central issues of non-Hermitian topological states. We show that a previously overlooked `non-Hermitian skin effect' necessitates redefinition of topological invariants in a generalized Brillouin zone. The resultant phase diagrams dramatically differ from the usual Bloch theory. Specifically, we obtain the phase diagram of non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, whose topological zero modes are determined by the non-Bloch winding number instead of the Bloch-Hamiltonian-based topological number. Our work settles the issue of the breakdown of conve…
The fermion doubling theorem plays a pivotal role in Hermitian topological materials. It states, for example, that Weyl points must come in pairs in three-dimensional semimetals. Here, we present an extension of the doubling theorem to non-Hermitian lattice Hamiltonians. We focus on two-dimensional non-Hermitian systems without any symmetry constraints, which can host two different types of topological point nodes, namely, (i) Fermi points and (ii) exceptional points. We show that these two types of protected point nodes obey doubling theorems, which require that the point nodes come in pairs.…
We show that the bulk-boundary correspondence for topological insulators can be modified in the presence of non-Hermiticity. We consider a one-dimensional tight-binding model with gain and loss as well as long-range hopping. The system is described by a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian that encircles an exceptional point in momentum space. The winding number has a fractional value of 1/2. There is only one dynamically stable zero-energy edge state due to the defectiveness of the Hamiltonian. This edge state is robust to disorder due to protection by a chiral symmetry. We also discuss experimental rea…
We provide a systematic and self-consistent method to calculate the generalized Brillouin Zone (GBZ) analytically in one dimensional non-Hermitian systems, which helps us to understand the non-Hermitian bulk-boundary correspondence. In general, a n-band non-Hermitian Hamiltonian is constituted by n distinct sub-GBZs, each of which is a piecewise analytic closed loop. Based on the concept of resultant, we can show that all the analytic properties of the GBZ can be characterized by an algebraic equation, the solution of which in the complex plane is dubbed as auxiliary GBZ (aGBZ). We also provid…
Non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, which describe a wide range of dissipative systems, and higher-order topological phases, which exhibit novel boundary states on corners and hinges, comprise two areas of intense current research. Here we investigate systems where these frontiers merge and formulate a generalized biorthogonal bulk-boundary correspondence, which dictates the appearance of boundary modes at parameter values that are, in general, radically different from those that mark phase transitions in periodic systems. By analyzing the interplay between corner/hinge, edge/surface and bulk degrees …
The generalized Brillouin zone (GBZ), which is the core concept of the non-Bloch band theory to rebuild the bulk boundary correspondence in the non-Hermitian topology, appears as a closed loop generally. In this work, we find that even if the GBZ itself collapses into a point, the recovery of the open boundary energy spectrum by the continuum bands remains unchanged. Contrastively, if the bizarreness of the GBZ occurs, the winding number will become illness. Namely, we find that the bulk boundary correspondence can still be established whereas the GBZ has singularities from the perspective of …
Non-Hermiticity enriches the 10-fold Altland-Zirnbauer symmetry class into the 38-fold symmetry class, where critical behavior of the Anderson transitions (ATs) has been extensively studied recently. Here, we propose a correspondence of the universality classes of the ATs between Hermitian and non-Hermitian systems. We illustrate that the critical exponents of the length scale in non-Hermitian systems coincide with the critical exponents in the corresponding Hermitian systems with additional chiral symmetry. A remarkable consequence of the correspondence is superuniversality, i.e., the ATs in …
An Attempt is made to study the non-Hermitian effect on the topological quantum criticality and also in the physics of Majroana zero mode (MZMs). In this work, the effects and modifications done by the non-Hermitian factor $γ$ on the topological phases, criticality and also in the MZMs is studied. We use the zero mode solutions (ZMS) to construct the phase diagram. We find a correspondence between Hermitian and non-Hermitian model Hamiltonian. The MZMs appear at criticality and has a stability dependence on the new passage created because of the introduction of non-Hermiticity. The multicritic…
Bulk boundary correspondence is crucial to topological insulator as it associates the boundary states (with zero energy, chiral or helical) to topological numbers defined in bulk. The application of this correspondence needs a prerequisite condition which is usually not mentioned explicitly: the boundaries themselves cannot alter the bulk states, so as to the topological numbers defined on them. In non-hermitian models with fractional winding number, we prove that such precondition fails and the bulk boundary correspondence is cut out. We show that, as eliminating the hopping between the bound…
Topological characterization of non-Hermitian band structures demands more than a straightforward generalization of the Hermitian cases. Even for one-dimensional tight-binding models with nonreciprocal hopping, the appearance of point gaps and the skin effect leads to the breakdown of the usual bulk-boundary correspondence. Luckily, the correspondence can be resurrected by introducing a winding number for the generalized Brillouin zone for systems with even number of bands and chiral symmetry. Here, we analyze the topological phases of a nonreciprocal hopping model on the stub lattice, where o…
The bulk-edge correspondence (BEC) is the hallmark of topological systems. In continuous (nonlattice) Hermitian systems with an unbounded wave vector, it was recently shown that the BEC of Chern insulators is modified. How would it be further affected in non-Hermitian systems, experiencing loss and/or gain? In this work, we take the first step in this direction, by studying a bulk-Hermitian continuous system with non-Hermitian boundary conditions. We find in this case that edge modes emerge at the roots of the scattering matrix, as opposed to the Hermitian case, where they emerge at its poles …
Topological phases and the associated multiple edge states are studied for parity and time-reversal $(\mathcal{PT})$ symmetric non-Hermitian open quantum systems by constructing a non-unitary three-step quantum walk retaining $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry in one dimension. We show that the non-unitary quantum walk has large topological numbers of the $\mathbb{Z}$ topological phase and numerically confirm that multiple edge states appear as expected from the bulk-edge correspondence. Therefore, the bulk-edge correspondence is valid in this case. Moreover, we study the stability of the multiple edge s…
We identify and investigate two classes of non-Hermitian systems, i.e., one resulting from Lorentz-symmetry violation (LSV) and the other from a complex mass (CM) with Lorentz invariance, from the perspective of quantum field theory. The mechanisms to break, and approaches to restore, the bulk-boundary correspondence in these two types of non-Hermitian systems are clarified. The non-Hermitian system with LSV shows a non-Hermitian skin effect, and its topological phase can be characterized by mapping it to the Hermitian system via a non-compact $U(1)$ gauge transformation. In contrast, there ex…
Topological phases of matter are conventionally characterized by the bulk-boundary correspondence in Hermitian systems: The topological invariant of the bulk in $d$ dimensions corresponds to the number of $(d-1)$-dimensional boundary states. By extension, higher-order topological insulators reveal a bulk-edge-corner correspondence, such that $n$-th order topological phases feature $(d-n)$-dimensional boundary states. The advent of non-Hermitian topological systems sheds new light on the emergence of the non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE) with an extensive number of boundary modes under open boun…
We classify topological phases of non-Hermitian systems in the Altland-Zirnbauer classes with an additional reflection symmetry in all dimensions. By mapping the non-Hermitian system into an enlarged Hermitian Hamiltonian with an enforced chiral symmetry, our topological classification is thus equivalent to classifying Hermitian systems with both chiral and reflection symmetries, which effectively change the classifying space and shift the periodical table of topological phases. According to our classification tables, we provide concrete examples for all topologically nontrivial non-Hermitian …
We study a non-Hermitian Kitaev chain model that contains three sources of non-Hermiticity: a constant imaginary potential, asymmetry between hopping amplitudes $t_{\rm R}$ and $t_{\rm L}$ in the right and left directions, and imbalance in pair potentials $Δ_{\rm c}$ and $Δ_{\rm a}$ for pair creation and annihilation, respectively. We show that bulk--boundary correspondence holds in this system; two topological invariants defined in bulk geometry under a modified periodic boundary condition correctly describe the presence or absence of a pair of boundary zero modes in boundary geometry under a…
The relation between chiral edge modes and bulk Chern numbers of quantum Hall insulators is a paradigmatic example of bulk-boundary correspondence. We show that the chiral edge modes are not strictly tied to the Chern numbers defined by a non-Hermitian Bloch Hamiltonian. This breakdown of conventional bulk-boundary correspondence stems from the non-Bloch-wave behavior of eigenstates (non-Hermitian skin effect), which generates pronounced deviations of phase diagrams from the Bloch theory. We introduce non-Bloch Chern numbers that faithfully predict the numbers of chiral edge modes. The theory …
Topological phases of Hermitian systems are known to exhibit intriguing properties such as the presence of robust boundary states and the famed bulk-boundary correspondence. These features can change drastically for their non-Hermitian generalizations, as exemplified by a general breakdown of bulk-boundary correspondence and a localization of all states at the boundary, termed the non-Hermitian skin effect. In this article, we present a completely analytical unifying framework for studying these systems using generalized transfer matrices -- a real-space approach suitable for systems with peri…
