{
  "abstract": "We extend the discrete WKB method to one-dimensional bipartite tight-binding chains of free fermions with slowly varying hopping amplitudes and on-site potentials. We focus on the inhomogeneous Rice-Mele model, suggesting possible experimental realizations thereof in optical superlattices. We derive explicit semiclassical expressions for the single-particle wave functions and density of states, as well as the sublattice-resolved local particle densities and filling fraction at arbitrary Fermi energy. In particular, we show that the WKB density profiles agree with those obtained from the local-density approximation. We analyze the spatial dependence of the local band edges and its consequences for the global spectral structure, and clarify the role played by the phase-space topology in determining the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization conditions. Finally, we illustrate our results with two representative examples: a homogeneous Rice-Mele chain subject to a harmonic trap and a fully inhomogeneous chain containing a domain wall.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2610.32710",
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Federico Finkel"
    },
    {
      "name": "Artemio González-López"
    },
    {
      "name": "Martín Zapata"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fxp6tz52p5hk3.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2610.32710",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "fxp6tz52p5hk3",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.32710",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "LicenseRef-arXiv-nonexclusive-1.0",
  "licence_label": "arXiv licence",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "cond-mat.str-el"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "math-ph"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "math.MP"
    ],
    [
      "arxiv",
      "quant-ph"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3107|Topological Materials and Phenomena"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223651628",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2610.32710",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-23",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fxp6tz52p5hk3.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:35:15Z",
      "native_id": "2610.32710",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2610.32710"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "mathematics",
      "origin": "arxiv:math-ph",
      "subfield": "mathematical-physics"
    },
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:cond-mat.str-el",
      "subfield": "condensed-matter"
    },
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:quant-ph",
      "subfield": "quantum"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Discrete WKB approach to density profiles in inhomogeneous two-band free-fermion chains",
  "title_text": "Discrete WKB approach to density profiles in inhomogeneous two-band free-fermion chains",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:35:19Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fxp6tz52p5hk3",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}