Charge density waves in disordered media circumventing the Imry-Ma argument

Hitesh J. Changlani, Norm M. Tubman, Taylor L. Hughes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Two powerful theoretical predictions, Anderson localization and the Imry-Ma argument, impose significant restrictions on the phases of matter that can exist in the presence of even the smallest amount of disorder in one-dimensional systems. These predictions forbid electrically conducting states and ordered states respectively. It was thus remarkable that a mechanism to circumvent Anderson localization relying on the presence of correlated disorder was found, that is also realized in certain biomolecular systems. In a similar manner, we show that the Imry-Ma argument can be circumvented, resulting in the formation of stable ordered states with discrete broken symmetries in disordered one dimensional systems. We then investigate other mechanisms by which disorder can destroy an ordered state.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number31897
JournalScientific reports
Volume6
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 24 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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