Anomalous Localization and Mobility Edges in Non-Hermitian Quasicrystals with Disordered Imaginary Gauge Fields
Abstract
Localization in non-Hermitian quasicrystals can differ fundamentally from its Hermitian counterpart when non-reciprocity is spatially disordered. Here we study a one-dimensional non-Hermitian Aubry-Andr\'e-Harper chain with a Bernoulli imaginary gauge field and quasiperiodic onsite modulation. In the nearest-neighbor limit, we identify an anomalous transition from a fully erratic non-Hermitian skin effect (ENHSE) phase to a fully localized phase. Although the fractal dimension vanishes in both regimes, the Lyapunov exponent and the fluctuation of the eigenstate center of mass sharply distinguish them. For generic finite-size realizations, this transition is further accompanied by a complex-to-real spectral change under periodic boundary conditions and a change of spectral winding from nontrivial to trivial. With weak next-nearest-neighbor hopping, we uncover an anomalous mobility edge at the same location as in the Hermitian generalized Aubry-Andr\'e-Harper model, but separating Anderson-localized states from ENHSE-type macroscopic-accumulation states rather than extended states. We further show that this anomalous localization structure is reflected in spectral winding and wave-packet dynamics: single realizations exhibit winding-dependent drift, winding-resolved averaging preserves opposite directional responses, and full disorder averaging largely restores Hermitian-like transport. Our results establish practical diagnostics of anomalous localization and mobility edges in non-Hermitian quasicrystals.
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.