Exceptional hypersurfaces of transfer matrices of finite-range lattice models and their consequences on quantum transport properties

Abstract

We investigate the emergence and corresponding nature of exceptional points located on exceptional hypersurfaces of non-Hermitian transfer matrices for finite-range one-dimensional lattice models. We unravel the nontrivial role of these exceptional points in determining the system-size scaling of electrical conductance in nonequilibrium steady state. We observe that the band edges of the system always correspond to the transfer matrix exceptional points. Interestingly, albeit the lower band edge always occurs at wave vector k=0, the upper band edge may or may not correspond to k=π. Nonetheless, in all the cases, the system exhibits universal subdiffusive transport for conductance at every band edge with scaling N−b with scaling exponent b=2. However, for cases when the upper band edge is not located at k=π, the conductance features interesting oscillations with overall N−2 scaling. Our work further reveals that this setup is uniquely suited to generate higher-order transfer matrix exceptional points at upper band edge when one considers finite-range hoppings beyond nearest neighbor. Additional exceptional points other than those at band edges are shown to occur, although interestingly, these do not give rise to anomalous transport.