Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We show how a gyrotropic cavity vacuum generates, probes, and spatially programs non-Abelian topology in the Kitaev honeycomb model. Gauge-consistent virtual-photon elimination produces a universal helicity-odd interaction $\mathrm{i}[P_x,P_y]$ alongside same-order even dressing. For the leading bond polarization, this commutator is exactly the Kitaev three-spin mass. Mode normalization imposes a thermodynamic constraint: one extended normalized mode gives a local mass that vanishes with sample area, whereas a localized mode writes a finite topological island and a finite mode density enables a bulk mass. The exact Majorana solution yields helicity-reversed Chern gaps and edge propagation, while integrated circular dichroism exactly measures the mass generator, $\langle\mathrm{i}[P_x,P_y]\rangle=-\sqrt3p^2\langle O_3\rangle$. Real-space calculations reveal a non-Abelian island and a helicity wall with two co-propagating Majorana modes. Uniform helicity reversal is a Dirac-mass quench with $n_{\rm ex}\proptoτ_Q^{-1}$, whereas moving a wall localizes the gap closing. The equilibrium vacuum kernel contains sum-frequency rather than resonant denominators. These results establish distinct criteria for local and bulk cavity-induced topology.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Author: Zhang, Yu
Institution: Los Alamos National Laboratory
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7223408556