Quantum anomaly, non-Hermitian skin effects, and entanglement entropy in open systems

We investigate the roles of non-Hermitian topology in spectral properties and entanglement structures of open systems. In terms of spectral theory, we give a unified understanding of two interpretations of non-Hermitian topology: quantum anomaly and non-Hermitian skin effects, in which the bulk spectra extremely depend on the boundary conditions. In this context, the fact that the intrinsic higher-dimensional skin effects under the full open boundary condition need the presence of the topological defects is understood in terms of the anomalous fermion production such as the Rubakov-Callan effect in the presence of the magnetic monopole. By using the unified interpretation, we classify the symmetry-protected and higher-dimensional skin effects. In terms of the entanglement structure, we investigate steady states of fermionic open systems whose Liouvillian (rapidity) spectra host non-Hermitian topology. We analyze dissipation-driven Majorana steady states in zero-dimensional open systems and relate them to the Majorana edge modes of topological superconductors by using the entanglement entropy. We also analyze a steady state of a one-dimensional open Fermi system with a non-Hermitian topological spectrum and relate it to the chiral edge states of the Chern insulator on the basis of the trace index defined from the entanglement spectrum. This correspondence indicates that the entanglement generates circular nonreciprocal currents under the periodic boundary condition and the skin-effect voltage with fermion accumulation under the open boundary condition. Finally, we discuss several related topics such as pseudospectral behaviors of Liouvillian dynamics and skin effects in interacting systems.

Automated summary

This study explores the roles of non-Hermitian topology in the spectral properties and entanglement structures of open systems, providing a unified understanding of quantum anomaly and non-Hermitian skin effects. By using this unified interpretation, symmetry-protected and higher-dimensional skin effects are classified. In terms of entanglement structure, the steady states of fermionic open systems with non-Hermitian topological spectra are investigated, linking them to Majorana edge modes and chiral edge states.