Edge states in quantum spin chains: the interplay among interaction, gradient magnetic field and Floquet engineering

Abstract

We explore the edge defects induced by spin-spin interaction in a finite paradigmatic Heisenberg spin chain. By introducing a gradient magnetic field and a periodically-modulated spin-exchange strength, the resonance between modulation frequency and magnetic field gradient can also induce asymmetric defects at the edges, dubbed as Floquet-Wannier-Zeeman edge defects. The interplay between these two types of edge defects allows us to manipulate the magnon edge states from an isolated band into a continuum one. In the high-frequency regime, we analytically derive effective models to interpret the formation mechanisms for edge states by employing the multiscale perturbation analysis. Our study offers new insights to understand and control the magnon edge states governed by the interplay between edge defects induced by the spin-spin interaction and the Floquet-Wannier-Zeeman manipulation.