Non-Bloch-Band Collapse and Chiral Zener Tunneling

Abstract

Non-Bloch-band theory describes bulk energy spectra and topological invariants in non-Hermitian crystals with open boundaries, where the bulk eigenstates are squeezed toward the edges (skin effect). However, the interplay of non-Bloch-band theory, skin effect, and coherent Bloch dynamics is so far unexplored. In two-band non-Hermitian lattices, it is shown here that collapse of non-Bloch bands and skin modes deeply changes the Bloch dynamics under an external force. In particular, for resonance forcing non-Bloch-band collapse results in Wannier-Stark ladder coalescence and chiral Zener tunneling between the two dispersive Bloch bands.