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We analyze the topological properties of a family of generalized Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) chains and mesh geometries. In both the geometries the usual staggering in the distribution of the two overlap integrals is delayed (in space) by the inclusion of a third (additional) hopping term. A tight-binding Hamiltonian is used to unravel the topological phases, characterized by a topological invariant. While in the linear chains, the topological invariant (the Zak phase) always appears to be quantized, in the quasi-one dimensional strip geometries and the generalized SSH mesh patterns the quantization of the Zak phase is sensitive to the strength of the additional interaction (the `extra' hopping integral). We study its influence thoroughly and explore the edge states and their robustness against disorder in the cross-linked generalized SSH mesh geometries. The systems considered here can be taken to model (though crudely) two-dimensional polymers where the cross-linking brings in non-trivial modification of the energy bands and transport properties. In addition to the topological features studied, we provide a prescription to unravel any flat, non-dispersive energy bands in the mesh geometries, along with the structure and distribution of the compact localized eigenstates. Our results are analytically exact.

We study quantum dynamics of a wave packet on a class of one dimensional decorated aperiodic lattices, described within a tight binding formalism. We look for the possibility of finding extended single particle states even in the absence of any translational periodicity. The chosen lattices are stubbed with one or more atoms, tunnel coupled to the backbone, thereby introducing a minimal quasi-one dimensionality. It is seen that, for a group of such lattices a certain correlation between the numerical values of the hopping amplitudes leads to a complete delocalization of single particle states. In some other cases, a special value of a magnetic flux trapped in the loops present in the geometries delocalize the states, leading to a flux driven insulator to metal transition. The mean square displacement, temporal autocorrelation function, the time dependence of the inverse participation ratio, or the information entropy - the so-called hallmarks of studying localization based on dynamics - all of them indicate such a complete turnover in the nature of the single particle states and the character of the energy spectrum under suitable conditions. The results shown in this work using quasiperiodic lattices of the Fibonacci family are much more general and hold good even for a randomly disordered arrangement of the building blocks of the systems considered, and indicate a subtle universality class under which these lattices can be grouped.

An infinitely large Koch fractal is shown to be capable of sustaining only extended, Bloch-like eigenstates, if certain parameters of the Hamiltonian describing the lattice are numerically correlated in a special way, and a magnetic flux of a special strength is trapped in every loop of the geometry. We describe the system within a tight binding formalism and prescribe the desired correlation between the numerical values of the nearest neighbor overlap integrals, along with a special value of the magnetic flux trapped in the triangular loops decorating the fractal. With such conditions, the lattice, despite the absence of translational order of any kind whatsoever, yields an absolutely continuous eigenvalue spectrum, and becomes completely transparent to an incoming electron with any energy within the allowed band. The results are analytically exact. An in-depth numerical study of the inverse participation ratio and the two-terminal transmission coefficient corroborates our findings. Our conclusions remain valid for a large set of lattice models, built with the same structural units, but beyond the specific geometry of a Koch fractal, unraveling a subtle universality in a variety of such low dimensional systems.

Compact localized single particle eigenstates on a deterministic fractal substrate, modelled by a triangular Sierpinski gasket of arbitrarily large size, are unravelled and examined analytically. We prescribe an exact real space renormalization group (RSRG) decimation scheme within a tight binding formalism to discern these states, and argue that the number of such states can be infinite if the fractal substrate is enlarged to its thermodynamic limit. Interestingly, these localized states turn out to populate the non-dispersive, flat bands in a periodic array of Sierpinski gasket motifs, however large they may be. Our results match and corroborate the recently observed compact localized, flat band states engineered on two dimensional photonic waveguide networks with a fractal geometry, and provide a whole subset of them, which, in principle, should be observable in fractal photonic lattice experiments.

We address the problem of analytically extracting a countable infinity of flat, non-dispersive bands in a periodic array of cells that comprise branching Vicsek geometries of higher and higher generations. Through a geometric construction, followed by an exact real space renormalization scheme we unravel clusters of compact localized states, corresponding to densely packed groups of flat bands, sometimes in close proximity with the dispersive ones, as the unit cells accommodate Vicsek fractal motifs of higher and higher generations. In such periodic arrays, energy bands close and open at energies that can be calculated exactly, and the precise correlation between the overlap integrals describing the tight binding systems can be worked out. The possibility of a topological phase transition is pointed out through an explicit construction of the edge states, weakly protected against disorder, though it is argued that the typical bulk-boundary correspondence is not holding good in such cases., Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures

We prove that, a suitable correlation between the system parameters can trigger topological phase transition and flat bands in a multi strand Creutz ladder network, when a staggered second neighbor interaction is included along the x axis. An appropriate change of basis maps such a finite N strand mesh into N or N 1 decoupled Su Schrieffer Heeger chains, depending onNeven or odd. A simple intuitive method, using a real space decimation scheme turns out to be very powerful in analytically extracting the flat bands, explaining their degeneracy or a lifting of the same. Our results are analytically exact, and may inspire experiments in photonics and ultracold atomic systems., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures

We investigate the edge states and the topological phase transitions in a class of tight binding lattices in one dimension where a Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model exists in disguise. The unit cells of such lattices may have an arbitrarily intricate staggering pattern woven in the hopping integrals, that apparently masks the basic SSH structure. We unmask the SSH character in such lattices using a simple real space decimation of a subset of the degrees of freedom. The decimation not only allows us to recognize the familiar SSH geometry, but at the same time enables us to determine, in an analytically exact way, the precise energy eigenvalues at which the gaps open up (or close) at the Brillouin zone boundaries. It is argued that, a topological phase transition and the existence of the protected edge states can be observed in such lattices only under definite numerical correlations between the hopping integrals decorating the unit cell. Such a correlation, achievable in a variety of ways, brings different such models under a kind of a universality class., Comment: 8 pages, 12 figures

We investigate the quantum dynamics of wave packets in a class of decorated lattices, both quasiperiodic and random, where a nominal quasi-one dimensionality is introduced at local levels, bringing in a deterministic or even random variations in the distribution of the coordination number throughout the system. We show that certain correlations in the numerical values of the system Hamiltonian can cause a drastic change in the dynamical evolution of the wave packet, revealing a complete delocalization, independent of the energy of the travelling particle, even in the absence of any translational invariance. We use an exact decimation of a selected subset of the degrees of freedom, and an analysis of the commutation of the $2 \times 2$ transfer matrices on a renormalized version of the parent systems within a tight binding framework. An in-depth analysis of the mean square displacement, temporal autocorrelation function and the inverse participation ratio establishes the gross change in the behaviour of the wave packet dynamics. The consequence is the occurrence of a parameter-driven insulator-metal transition over the full (or a major) range of the energy spectrum in each case. In certain cases, inclusion of an external magnetic flux enables us to control the transition. The observation is general, and, to our mind, can inspire experiments involving photonics or matter wave localization., Comment: 9 pages,8 figures

We present an analytical method, based on a real space decimation scheme, to extract the exact eigenvalues of a macroscopically large set of pinned localized excitations in a Cayley tree fractal network. Within a tight binding scheme we exploit the above method to scrutinize the effect of a deterministic deformation of the network, first through a hierarchical distribution in the values of the nearest neighbor hopping integrals, and then through a radial Aubry Andre Harper quasiperiodic modulation. With increasing generation index, the inflating loop less tree structure hosts pinned eigenstates on the peripheral sites that spread from the outermost rings into the bulk of the sample, resembling the spread of a forest fire, lighting up a predictable set of sites and leaving the rest unignited. The penetration depth of the envelope of amplitudes can be precisely engineered. The quasiperiodic modulation yields hitherto unreported quantum butterflies, which have further been investigated by calculating the inverse participation ratio for the eigenstates, and a multifractal analysis. The applicability of the scheme to photonic fractal waveguide networks is discussed at the end., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures

We investigate the spectral and transport properties of a two-arm tight-binding ladder perturbed by an external magnetic field following an Aubry-Andr\'e-Harper profile. The varying magnetic flux trapped in consecutive ladder-cells simulates an axial twist that enables us, in principle, to probe a wide variety of systems ranging from a ribbon Hofstadter geometry to helical DNA chains. We perform an in-depth numerical analysis, using a direct diagonalization of the lattice Hamiltonian to study the electronic spectra and transport properties of the model. We show that such a geometry creates a self-similar multifractal pattern in the energy landscape. The spectral properties are analyzed using the local density of states and a Green's function formalism is employed to obtain the two-terminal transmission probability. With the standard multifractal analysis and the evaluation of inverse participation ratio we show that, the system hosts both critical and extended phase for a slowly varying aperiodic sequence of flux indicating a possible mobility edge. Finally, we report signatures of topological edge modes that are found to be robust against a correlated perturbation given to the nearest neighbor hopping integrals. Our results can be of importance in experiments involving ladder-like quantum networks, realized with cold atoms in an optical trap setup., Comment: 12 pages, 21 figures

A tight binding network of diamond shaped unit cells trapping a staggered magnetic flux distribution is shown to exhibit a topological phase transition under a controlled variation of the flux trapped in a cell. A simple real space decimation technique maps a binary flux staggered network into an equivalent Su-Shrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. In this way, dealing with a subspace of the full degrees of freedom, we show that a topological phase transition can be initiated by tuning the applied magnetic field that eventually simulates an engineering of the numerical values of the overlap integrals in the paradigmatic SSH model. Thus one can use an external agent, rather than monitoring the intrinsic property of a lattice to control the topological properties. This is advantageous from an experimental point of view. We also provide an in-depth description and analysis of the topologically protected edge states, and discuss how, by tuning the flux from outside one can enhance the spatial extent of the Aharonov-Bohm caging of single particle states for any arbitrary period of staggering. This feature can be useful for the study of transport of quantum information. Our results are exact., Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures

A periodic network of connected rhombii, mimicking a spintronic device, is shown to exhibit an intriguing spin selective extreme localization, when submerged in a uniform out of plane electric field. The topological Aharonov Casher phase acquired by a travelling spin is seen to induce a complete caging, triggered at a special strength of the spin orbit coupling, for half odd integer spins s \ge n\hbar/2, with n odd, sparing the integer spins. The observation finds exciting experimental parallels in recent literature on caged, extreme localized modes in analogous photonic lattices. Our results are exact., Comment: 6 pages, 16 figures

We investigate a simple tight-binding Hamiltonian to understand the stability of spin-polarized transport of states with an arbitrary spin content in the presence of disorder. The general spin state is made to pass through a linear chain of magnetic atoms, and the localization lengths are computed. Depending on the value of spin, the chain of magnetic atoms unravels a hidden transverse dimensionality that can be exploited to engineer energy regimes where only a selected spin state is allowed to retain large localization lengths. An analysis is carried out to understand the roles played by the spin projections in different energy regimes of the range of states. We introduce a new measure, viz, a spin-resolved localization length for this purpose. We study uncorrelated disorder in the potential profile offered by the magnetic substrate or in the orientations of the magnetic moments concerning a given direction in space. Our results show that the spin filtering effect is robust against weak disorder and hence the proposed systems should be good candidates for experimental realizations of spin-selective transport., Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures

We demonstrate that an aperiodic array of certain quantum networks comprising magnetic and non-magnetic atoms can act as perfect spin filters for particles with arbitrary spin state. This can be achieved by introducing minimal quasi-one dimensionality in the basic structural units building up the array, along with an appropriate tuning of the potential of the non-magnetic atoms, the tunnel hopping integral between the non-magnetic atoms and the backbone, and, in some cases, by tuning an external magnetic field. This latter result opens up the interesting possibility of designing a flux controlled spin demultiplexer using quantum networks. The proposed networks have close resemblance with a family of recently developed photonic lattices, and the scheme for spin filtering can thus be linked, in principle, to a possibility of suppressing any one of the two states of polarization of a single photon, almost at will. We use transfer matrices and a real space renormalization group scheme to unravel the conditions under which any aperiodic arrangement of such topologically different structures will filter out any given spin projection. Our results are analytically exact, and corroborated by extensive numerical calculations of the spin polarized transmission and the density of states of such systems., Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures

A periodic array of atomic sites, described within a tight binding formalism is shown to be capable of trapping electronic states as it grows in size and gets stubbed by an atom or an atomic clusters from a side in a deterministic way. We prescribe a method based on a real space renormalization group method, that unravels a subtle correlation between the positions of the side coupled atoms and the energy eigenvalues for which the incoming particle finally gets trapped. We discuss how, in such conditions, the periodic backbone gets transformed into an array of infinite quantum wells in the thermodynamic limit. We present a case here, where the wells have a hierarchically distribution of widths, hosing standing wave solutions in the thermodynamic limit., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

The spectrum of spinless, non-interacting electrons on a linear chain that is buckled in a non- uniform manner giving it a flavor of a topologically disordered lattice, is investigated within a tight binding formalism. We have addressed two specific cases, viz., a perfectly periodic chain wrinkled in a quasiperiodic Fibonacci pattern, and a quasiperiodic Fibonacci chain, where the buckling also takes place in a Fibonacci pattern. The buckling brings distant neighbors in the parent chain to close proximity, which is simulated by a tunnel hopping amplitude. It is seen that, in the perfectly ordered case, increasing the strength of the tunnel hopping (that is, bending the segments more) absolutely continuous density of states is retained towards the edges of the band, while the central portion becomes fragmented and host subbands of narrowing widths containing extended, current carrying states, and multiple isolated bound states formed as a result of the bending. A switching on and off of the electronic transmission can thus be engineered by buckling. On the other hand, in the second example of a quasiperiodic Fibonacci chain, imparting a quasiperiodic buckling is found to generate continuous subband(s) destroying the usual multifractality of the energy spectrum. We present exact results based on a real space renormalization group analysis, that is corroborated by explicit calculation of the two terminal electronic transport., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures

A tight-binding model of a multi-leg ladder network with a continuous quasiperiodic modulation in both the site potential and the inter-arm hopping integral is considered. The model mimics optical lattices where ultra-cold fermionic or bosonic atoms are trapped in double well potentials. It is observed that, the relative phase difference between the on-site potential and the inter-arm hopping integral, which can be controlled by the tuning of the interfering laser beams trapping the cold atoms, can result in a mixed spectrum of one or more absolutely continuous subband(s) and point like spectral measures. This opens up the possibility of a re-entrant metal-insulator transition. The subtle role played by the relative phase difference mentioned above is revealed, and we corroborate it numerically by working out the multi-channel electronic transmission for finite two-, and three-leg ladder networks. The extension of the calculation beyond the two-leg case is trivial, and is discussed in the work., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures (Accepted for Publication in Annals of Physics)

Finite strips, composed of a periodic stacking of infinite quasiperiodic Fibonacci chains, have been investigated in terms of their electronic properties. The system is described by a tight binding Hamiltonian. The eigenvalue spectrum of such a multi-strand quasiperiodic network is found to be sensitive on the mutual values of the intra-strand and inter-strand tunnel hoppings, whose distribution displays a unique three-subband self-similar pattern in a parameter subspace. In addition, it is observed that special numerical correlations between the nearest and the next-nearest neighbor hopping integrals can render a substantial part of the energy spectrum absolutely continuous. Extended, Bloch like functions populate the above continuous zones, signalling a complete delocalization of single particle states even in such a non-translationally invariant system, and more importantly, a phenomenon that can be engineered by tuning the relative strengths of the hopping parameters. A commutation relation between the potential and the hopping matrices enables us to work out the precise correlation which helps to engineer the extended eigenfunctions and determine the band positions at will., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures

It is shown that, an entire class of off-diagonally disordered linear lattices composed of two basic building blocks and described within a tight binding model can be tailored to generate absolutely continuous energy bands. It can be achieved if linear atomic clusters of an appropriate size are side coupled to a suitable subset of sites in the backbone, and if the nearest neighbor hopping integrals, in the backbone and in the side coupled cluster bear a certain ratio. We work out the precise relationship between the number of atoms in one of the building blocks in the backbone, and that in the side attachment. In addition, we also evaluate the definite correlation between the numerical values of the hopping integrals at different subsections of the chain, that can convert an otherwise point spectrum (or, a singular continuous one for deterministically disordered lattices) with exponentially (or power law ) localized eigenfunctions to an absolutely continuous spectrum comprising one or more bands (subbands) populated by extended, totally transparent eigenstates. The results, which are analytically exact, put forward a non-trivial variation of the Anderson localization [P. W. Anderson, Phys. Rev. 109, 1492 (1958)], pointing towards its unusual sensitivity to the numerical values of the system parameters and, go well beyond the other related models such as the Random Dimer Model (RDM) [Dunlap et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 65, 88 (1990)]., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, submitted as epl draft

We design spin filters for particles with potentially arbitrary spin S (= 1/2, 1, 3/2,....) using a one-dimensional periodic chain of magnetic atoms as a quantum device. Describing the system within a tight-binding formalism we present an analytical method to unravel the analogy between a one-dimensional magnetic chain and a multi-strand ladder network. This analogy is crucial, and is subsequently exploited to engineer gaps in the energy spectrum by an appropriate choice of the magnetic substrate. We obtain an exact correlation between the magnitude of the spin of the incoming beam of particles and the magnetic moment of the substrate atoms in the chain desired for opening up of a spectral gap. Results of spin polarized transport, calculated within a transfer matrix formalism, are presented for particles having half-integer as well as higher spin states. We find that the chain can be made to act as a quantum device which opens a transmission window only for selected spin components over certain ranges of the Fermi energy, blocking them in the remaining part of the spectrum. The results appear to be robust even when the choice of the substrate atoms deviates substantially from the ideal situation, as verified by extending the ideas to the case of a spin spiral. Interestingly, the spin spiral geometry, apart from exhibiting the filtering effect, is also seen to act as a device flipping spins - an effect that can be monitored by an interplay of the system size and the period of the spiral. Our scheme is applicable to ultracold quantum gases, and might inspire future experiments in this direction., Comment: 13 pages, 7 figures, Supplemental files are added as ancillary files in a folder called "anc", Revised version is uploaded

We present an analytically exact scheme of unraveling a multitude of flat, dispersionless photonic bands in a kagome waveguide strip where each elementary plaquette hosts a deterministic fractal geometry of arbitrary size. The number of non-dispersive eigenmodes grows as higher and higher order fractal geometry is embedded in the kagome motif. Such eigenmodes are found to be localized with finite support in the kagome strip and exhibit a hierarchy of localization areas. The onset of localization can, in principle, be delayed in space by an appropriate choice of frequency of the incident wave. The length scale at which the onset of localization for each mode occurs, can be tuned at will as prescribed here using a real space renormalization method. Conventional methods of extracting the non-dispersive modes in such geometrically frustrated lattices fail as a non-translationally invariant fractal decorates the unit cells in the transverse direction. The scheme presented here circumvents this difficulty, and thus may inspire the experimentalists to design similar fractal incorporated kagome or Lieb class of lattices to observe a multifractal distribution of flat photonic bands., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures

Exact construction of one electron eigenstates with flat, non-dispersive bands, and localized over clusters of various sizes is reported for a class of quasi-one dimensional looped networks. Quasiperiodic Fibonacci and Berker fractal geometries are embedded in the arms of the loop threaded by a uniform magnetic flux. We work out an analytical scheme to unravel the localized single particle states pinned at various atomic sites or over clusters of them. The magnetic field is varied to control, in a subtle way, the extent of localization and the location of the flat band states in energy space. In addition to this we show that, an appropriate tuning of the field can lead to a re-entrant behavior of the effective mass of the electron in a band, with a periodic flip in its sign., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures

We demonstrate, by explicit construction, that a single band tight binding Hamiltonian defined on a class of deterministic fractals of the b = 3N Sierpinski type can give rise to an infinity of dispersionless, flat-band like states which can be worked out analytically using the scale invariance of the underlying lattice. The states are localized over clusters of increasing sizes, displaying the existence of a multitude of localization areas. The onset of localization can, in principle, be delayed in space by an appropriate choice of the energy of the electron. A uniform magnetic field threading the elementary plaquettes of the network is shown to destroy this staggered localization and generate absolutely continuous sub-bands in the energy spectrum of these non-translationally invariant networks., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, 1 Table

A Sierpinski gasket fractal network model is studied in respect of its electronic spectrum and magneto-transport when each arm of the gasket is replaced by a diamond shaped Aharonov-Bohm interferometer, threaded by a uniform magnetic flux. Within the framework of a tight binding model for non-interacting, spinless electrons and a real space renormalization group method we unravel a class of extended and localized electronic states. In particular, we demonstrate the existence of extreme localization of electronic states at a special finite set of energy eigenvalues, and an infinite set of energy eigenvalues where the localization gets delayed in space (staggered localization). These eigenstates exhibit a multitude of localization areas. The two terminal transmission coefficient and its dependence on the magnetic flux threading each basic Aharonov-Bohm interferometer is studied in details. Sharp switch on- switch off effects that can be tuned by controlling the flux from outside, are discussed. Our results are analytically exact., Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures

We show that a discrete tight-binding model representing either a random or a quasiperiodic array of bonds, can have the entire energy spectrum or a substantial part of it absolutely continuous, populated by extended eigenfunctions only, when atomic sites are coupled to the lattice locally, or non-locally from one side. The event can be fine-tuned by controlling only the host-adatom coupling in one case, while in two other cases cited here an additional external magnetic field is necessary. The delocalization of electronic states for the group of systems presented here is sensitive to a subtle correlation between the numerical values of the Hamiltonian parameters - a fact that is not common in the conventional cases of Anderson localization. Our results are analytically exact, and supported by numerical evaluation of the density of states and electronic transmission coefficient., Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, revised version

The energy spectra of quasi-one dimensional quasiperiodic ladder networks are analyzed within a tight binding description. In particular, we show that if a selected set of sites in each strand of a ladder is tunnel-coupled to quantum dots attached from a side, absolutely continuous subbands can be generated in the spectrum if one tunes the dot potential and the dot-strand coupling appropriately. Typical cases with two and three strand Fibonacci ladders in the off diagonal model are discussed in details. We also discuss the possibility of re-entrant insulator-metal transition for a general n-strand ladder network when n becomes large. The observations remain valid even in the case of a disordered ladder network with the same constituents. The results are analytically exact., Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures, Modified Version

We present analytically exact results to show that, certain quasi one-dimensional lattices where the building blocks are arranged in a random fashion, can have an absolutely continuous part in the energy spectrum when special correlations are introduced among some of the parameters describing the corresponding Hamiltonians. We explicitly work out two prototype cases, one being a disordered array of a simple diamond network and isolated dots, and the other an array of triangular plaquettes and dots. In the latter case, a magnetic flux threading each plaquette plays a crucial role in converting the energy spectrum into an absolutely continuous one. A flux controlled enhancement in the electronic transport is an interesting observation in the triangle-dot system that may be useful while considering prospective devices. The analytical findings are comprehensively supported by extensive numerical calculations of the density of states and transmission coefficient in each case., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, epl draft

We present an exact analytical method of engineering the localization of electromagnetic waves in a fractal waveguide network. It is shown that, a countable infinity of localized electromagnetic modes with a multitude of localization lengths can exist in a Vicsek fractal geometry built with diamond shaped monomode waveguides as the 'unit cells'. The family of localized modes form clusters of increasing size. The length scale at which the onset of localization for each mode takes place can be engineered at will, following a well defined prescription developed within the framework of a real space renormalization group. The scheme leads to an exact evaluation of the wave vector for every such localized state, a task that is non-trivial, if not impossible for any random or deterministically disordered waveguide network., Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1204.4986

We describe how to engineer wavefunction delocalization in disordered systems modelled by tight-binding Hamiltonians in d>1 dimensions. We show analytically that a simple product structure for the random onsite potential energies, together with suitably chosen hopping strengths, allows a resonant scattering process leading to ballistic transport along one direction, and a controlled coexistence of extended Bloch states and anisotropically localized states in the spectrum. We demonstrate that these features persist in the thermodynamic limit for a continuous range of the system parameters. Numerical results support these findings and highlight the robustness of the extended regime with respect to deviations from the exact resonance condition for finite systems. The localization and transport properties of the system can be engineered almost at will and independently in each direction. This study gives rise to the possibility of designing disordered potentials that work as switching devices and band-pass filters for quantum waves, such as matter waves in optical lattices., Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures

We present exact analytical results revealing the existence of a countable infinity of unusual single particle states, which are localized with a multitude of localization lengths in a Vicsek fractal network with diamond shaped loops as the 'unit cells'. The family of localized states form clusters of increasing size, much in the sense of Aharonov-Bohm cages [J. Vidal et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 5888 (1998)], but now without a magnetic field. The length scale at which the localization effect for each of these states sets in can be uniquely predicted following a well defined prescription developed within the framework of real space renormalization group. The scheme allows an exact evaluation of the energy eigenvalue for every such state which is ensured to remain in the spectrum of the system even in the thermodynamic limit. In addition, we discuss the existence of a perfectly conducting state at the band center of this geometry and the influence of a uniform magnetic field threading each elementary plaquette of the lattice on its spectral properties. Of particular interest is the case of extreme localization of single particle states when the magnetic flux equals half the fundamental flux quantum., Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures

Electronic transport in closed loop structures is addressed within a tight-binding formalism and in the presence of both the Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions. It has been shown that any one of the spin-orbit fields can be estimated precisely if the other one is known, by observing either the transmission resonance or anti-resonance of unpolarized electrons. The result is obtained through an exact analytic calculation for a simple square loop, and through a numerically exact formulation for a circular ring. The sensitivity of the transport properties on the geometry of the interferometer is discussed in details., Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures

Interaction of bound states with a singular continuous spectrum is studied using a one dimensional Fibonacci quasicrystal as a prototype example. Single level quantum dots are attached from a side to a subset of atomic sites of the quasiperiodic chain. The proximity of the dots to the chain is modeled by introducing a tunnel hopping between a dot and the backbone. It is shown that, depending upon the proximity of the side coupled dot, the spectrum of an infinite quasiperiodic chain can display radical changes from its purely one dimensional characteristics. Absolutely continuous parts in the spectrum can be generated as well as isolated resonant eigenstates whose positions in the spectrum are sensitive to the proximity of the quantum dots. The cycles of the matrix map and the two terminal transport are discussed in details., Comment: Revtex4, 9 pages, 6 eps figures

We consider an infinite graphene geometry where bonds and sites have been removed selectively to map it onto an effective Sierpinski gasket comprising of hexagons. We show that such a structure is capable of sustaining an infinite number of extended single particle states inspite of the absence of any translational order. When each basic hexagonal plaquette in the Sierpinski geometry is threaded by a magnetic flux, the spectrum exhibits bands of extended eigenstates. The bands persist for any arbitrary value of the flux but disappear again as the flux becomes equal to half the fundamental flux quantum. The localization - de-localization issues are discussed thoroughly along with the computation of two terminal magneto-transport of finite versions of the lattice. The numerical results corroborate our analytical findings., Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures

We establish an exact analytical treatment for the determination of the strengths of the Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions in a single sample by measuring persistent spin current. A hidden symmetry is exploited in the Hamiltonian to show that the spin current vanishes when the strength of the Dresselhaus interaction becomes equal to the strength of the Rashba term. The results are sustained even in the presence of disorder and thus an experiment in this regard will be challenging., Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures

We take a critical view at the basic definition of extended single particle states in a non-translationally invariant system. For this, we present the case of a hierarchical lattice and incorporate long range interactions that are also distributed in a hierarchical fashion. We show that it is possible to explicitly construct eigenstates with constant amplitudes (normalized to unity) at every lattice point for special values of the electron- energy. However, the end-to-end transmission, corresponding to the above energy of the electron in such a hierarchical system depends strongly on a special correlation between the numerical values of the parameters of the Hamiltonian. Keeping the energy and the distribution of the amplitudes invariant, one can transform the lattice from conducting to insulating simply by tunning the numerical values of the long range interaction. The values of these interactions themselves display a fractal character., Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures

Magneto-transport of interacting electrons in a Sierpinski gasket fractal is studied within a mean field approach. We work out the three-terminal transport and study the interplay of the magnetic flux threading the planar gasket and the dephasing effect introduced by the third lead. For completeness we also provide results of the two-terminal transport in presence of electron-electron interaction. It is observed that dephasing definitely reduces the transport, while the magnetic field generates a continuum in the transmission spectrum signaling a band of extended eigenstates in this non-translationally invariant fractal structure. The Hubbard interaction and the dephasing introduced by the third lead play their parts in reducing the average transmission, and opens up gaps in the spectrum, but can not destroy the continuum in the spectrum., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

Stationary states of non-interacting electrons on a Koch fractal are investigated within a tight binding approach. It is observed that if a hierarchically long range hopping is allowed, a suitable correlation between the parameters defining the Hamiltonian leads to spectacular changes in the transport properties of finite, but arbitrarily large fractals. Topologically identical structures, that are found to support the same distribution of the amplitudes of eigenstates, are conducting in some cases and insulating in the others, depending on the choice of the hierarchy parameter. The values of the hierarchical parameter themselves display a self-similar, fractal character., Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures

Electronic transport in a one-dimensional mesoscopic ring threaded by a magnetic flux is studied in presence of Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit interactions. A completely analytical technique within a tight-binding formalism unveils the spin-split bands in presence of the spin-orbit interactions and leads to a method of determining the strength of the Dresselhaus interaction. In addition to this, the persistent currents for ordered and disordered rings have been investigated numerically. It is observed that, the presence of the spin-orbit interaction, in general, leads to an enhanced amplitude of the persistent current. Numerical results corroborate the respective analytical findings., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures

The Hubbard model on a Sierpinski gasket fractal is carefully examined within a Hartree-Fock mean field approach. We examine the influence of a magnetic flux threading the gasket on its ground state energy, persistent current and the Drude weight. Both an isotropic gasket and its anisotropic counterpart have been examined. The variance in the patterns of the calculated physical quantities are discussed for two situations, viz, at half-filling and when the `band' is less than half-filled. The phase reversal of the persistent currents and the change of the Drude weight as a function of the Hubbard interaction are found to exhibit interesting patterns that have so far remained unaddressed., Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures

We present exact results on certain electronic properties of an anisotropic Sierpinski gasket fractal. We use a tight binding Hamiltonian and work within the formalism of a real space renormalization group (RSRG) method. The anisotropy is introduced in the values of the nearest neighbor hopping integrals. An extensive numerical examination of the two terminal transmission spectrum and the flow of the hopping integrals under the RSRG iterations strongly suggest that an anisotropic gasket is more conducting than its isotropic counter part and that, even a minimal anisotropy in the hopping integrals generate {\it continuous bands} of eigenstates in the spectrum for finite Sierpinski gaskets of arbitrarily large size. We also discuss the effect of a magnetic field threading the planar gasket on its transport properties and calculate the persistent current in the system. The sensitivity of the persistent current on the anisotropy and on the band filling is also discussed., Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures

We propose a simple model of two coupled mesoscopic rings threaded by magnetic flux which mimics a device for electron transmission in a controlled fashion. Within a tight binding formalism we work out exactly the conditions when a completely ballistic transmission can be triggered at any desired position of the Fermi level within a continuous range of energy. The switching action can be easily controlled by appropriately tuning the values of the flux through the two rings. The general transmission across the ring system displays interesting features characterized by the appearance and collapse of Fano resonances, and the suppression of the Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in several cases. We report and analyze exact analytical results for a few such cases., Comment: Latex, 11 pages Five eps figures

Electronic transmission in bent quantum wires modeled by the tight binding Hamiltonian, and clamped between ideal, semi-infinite leads is studied. The effect of `bending' the chain is simulated by introducing a non-zero hopping between the extremities of the wire. It is seen that the proximity of the two ends gives rise to Falo line shapes in the transmission spectrum. Transmission properties for both an ordered lattice and a Fibonacci quantum wire are discussed. In the quasi-periodic Fibonacci chain, the proximity of the two ends of the chain closes all the gaps in the spectrum and the spectrum loses it's Cantor set character., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, Fig.2 replaced by the correct version

We show that a diamond shaped periodic network, recently proposed as a model of a spin filter (A. Aharony {\em et al.} \cite{aharon08}) is capable of behaving as a p-type or an n-type semiconductor depending on a suitable choice of the on-site potentials of the atoms occupying the vertices of the lattice, and the strength of the magnetic flux threading each plaquette of the network. A detailed study of the density of states of an infinite network is made together with the conductance of finite sized system to establish the idea., Comment: 4 pages, 7 figures

We investigate the possibilities of a tight binding ladder network as a mesoscopic switching device. Several cases have been discussed in which any one or both the arms of the ladder can assume random, ordered or quasiperiodic distribution of atomic potentials. We show that, for a special choice of the Hamiltonian parameters it is possible to prove exactly the existence of mobility edges in such a system, which plays a central role in the switching action. We also present numerical results for the two-terminal conductance of a general model of a quasiperiodically grown ladder which support the general features of the electron states in such a network. The analysis might be helpful in fabricating mesoscopic or DNA switching devices., Comment: 4 pages and 3 figures