Dynamical Quantum Phase Transitions in Systems with Broken-Symmetry Phases

M. Heyl
Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 205701 – Published 14 November 2014
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Abstract

In this Letter it is shown that dynamical quantum phase transitions in Loschmidt echos control the nonequilibrium dynamics of the order parameter after particular quantum quenches in systems with broken-symmetry phases. A direct connection between Loschmidt echos and the order parameter dynamics is established which links nonequilibrium microscopic probabilities to the system’s macroscopic dynamical properties. These concepts are illustrated numerically using exact diagonalization for quantum quenches in the XXZ chain with initial Néel states. An outlook is given on how to explore these predictions experimentally with ultracold gases in optical lattices.

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  • Received 10 April 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.113.205701

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

M. Heyl

  • Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
  • Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

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Issue

Vol. 113, Iss. 20 — 14 November 2014

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