Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is the result of parity-time symmetry breaking

Qin, Hong; Zhang, Ruili; Glasser, Alexander S.; Xiao, Jun

doi:10.1063/1.5088498

Cited by 33 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…For instance, the magnetized cold plasma model studied here has a broken time-reversal symmetry, but the linearized ideal magnetohydrodynamics system is invariant under the (modified) time-reversal transformation 8 , despite the existence of an external magnetic field. Furthermore, the linear dynamics in many plasma models is expected be to non-Hermitian 35,36 , permitting unstable and damped eigenmodes. Applying the methods of topological phases for non-Hermitian systems 37,38 will bring more insights and discoveries in the study of plasma instabilities for laboratory and astrophysical plasmas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Topological phases and bulk-edge correspondence of magnetized cold plasmas

Qin

2021

Nat Commun

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Plasmas have been recently studied as topological materials. However, a comprehensive picture of topological phases and topological phase transitions in cold magnetized plasmas is still missing. Here we systematically map out all the topological phases and establish the bulk-edge correspondence in cold magnetized plasmas. We find that for the linear eigenmodes, there are 10 topological phases in the parameter space of density n, magnetic field B, and parallel wavenumber kz, separated by the surfaces of Langmuir wave-L wave resonance, Langmuir wave-cyclotron wave resonance, and zero magnetic field. For fixed B and kz, only the phase transition at the Langmuir wave-cyclotron wave resonance corresponds to edge modes. A sufficient and necessary condition for the existence of this type of edge modes is given and verified by numerical solutions. We demonstrate that edge modes exist not only on a plasma-vacuum interface but also on more general plasma-plasma interfaces. This finding broadens the possible applications of these exotic excitations in space and laboratory plasmas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Topological phases and bulk-edge correspondence of magnetized cold plasmas

Qin

2021

Nat Commun

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“…We have presented a general framework for examining the discrete symmetries of a wide class fluid wave problems, extending this novel area of studies from the initial work of [Qin et al, 2019] and [Fu and Qin, 2020] which show that Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is an example of spontaneous PT-symmetry breaking. The framework prescribes the method of translating realspace symmetries of partial differential equations into the appropriate Fourier representation of the transformation operators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How do CPT-like symmetries shape the stability of geophysical flows?

David,

Delplace,

Venaille

2021

Preprint

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We examine the role discrete symmetries, timereversal and mirror symmetries, play in the context of geophysical waves and instabilities. By looking at three special cases from the two-layer quasigeostrophic model as well as developing a general framework for translating real-space transformations to Fourier-space we are able to: 1) show that baroclinic instability is an example of spontaneous paritytime symmetry breaking; 2) show that pure parity symmetry for a fluid system is exactly analogous to charge-conjugation-parity symmetry in a condensed matter system; and 3) show that when a pure parity symmetry is broken, this is associated with the suppression of wave propagation. Further, in the latter case, instability can arise without a corresponding symmetry breaking. This study highlights the role of symmetry breaking behind the dynamics of geophysical waves and instabilities.

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“…In this context, discrete symmetries such as parity and time play a crucial role. In recent literature, PT symmetry analysis has been discussed (Bender 2007;Qin et al 2019). Here, we discuss the consequences of discrete symmetries on the topology of the system.…”

Section: Discrete Symmetries and Topologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent literature, symmetry analysis has been discussed (Bender 2007; Qin et al. 2019). Here, we discuss the consequences of discrete symmetries on the topology of the system.…”

Section: Discrete Symmetries and Topologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Topological phase in plasma physics

Parker

2021

J. Plasma Phys.

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Recent discoveries have demonstrated that matter can be distinguished on the basis of topological considerations, giving rise to the concept of topological phase. Introduced originally in condensed matter physics, the physics of topological phase can also be fruitfully applied to plasmas. Here, the theory of topological phase is introduced, including a discussion of Berry phase, Berry connection, Berry curvature and Chern number. One of the clear physical manifestations of topological phase is the bulk-boundary correspondence, the existence of localized unidirectional modes at the interface between topologically distinct phases. These concepts are illustrated through examples, including the simple magnetized cold plasma. An outlook is provided for future theoretical developments and possible applications.

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Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is the result of parity-time symmetry breaking

Cited by 33 publications

References 35 publications

Topological phases and bulk-edge correspondence of magnetized cold plasmas

Topological phases and bulk-edge correspondence of magnetized cold plasmas

How do CPT-like symmetries shape the stability of geophysical flows?

Topological phase in plasma physics

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