In quantum mechanics, there is a phenomenon called back-scattering-free edge mode. Although I have read a lot about this phenomenon in recent days, I have not yet reached a real understanding of this physical phenomenon in mechanics. Can you explain this phenomenon physically or introduce a source that provides comprehensive explanations about this phenomenon in the science of mechanics?
An edge mode is, as the term implies, an excitation that propagates along the edge of a sample.
Now the interesting point is that, along the edge, you can only have a mode that propagates along one of the two possible directions of the edge (if it's a line). That means that it can't interact with the mode that's moving in the opposite direction and scatter off from it.
That's why the qualifier ``back-scattering-free'' is superfluous. An edge mode isn't subject to ``back-scattering''.
Stam Nicolis
Does this mean that the wave propagation in the edges has a progressive behavior and no disturbance from the other side affects it? Also, Could you recommend a source to read other subjects of this concept more deeply?
Many thanks.
It's more subtle than ``progressive behavior''. It is, indeed, insensitive to other ``side effects''.
A nice review is here: https://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/qhe.html in particular https://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/qhe/six.pdf
You might, also, find my paper: Preprint The layered phase of anisotropic gauge theories: A model for...
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