Transient localization from fractionalization: Vanishingly small energy transport in gapless quantum magnets
Abstract
In this work, we investigate zero-temperature energy transport in a gapless quantum magnet. We find that suppressed energy transport can arise at low frequencies due to transient localization from fractionalization, even in the absence of extrinsic defects or disorder. Concretely, we consider a Kitaev ladder model, whose spin degrees of freedom fractionalize into visons and spinons, in a uniform magnetic field. For moderate magnetic fields, visons are heavy and act as quasistatic disorder that induces transient localization of light spinons even in the translation-invariant model and at zero temperature, which strongly suppresses the residual transport.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Quantum and electron transport phenomena
Physics of Superconductivity and Magnetism
Advanced Physical and Chemical Molecular Interactions
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical review. B./Physical review. B
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 114
- Issue
- 3
- Publication date
- 1 July 2026
- Language
- EN