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Full Counting Statistics of Topological Defects after Crossing a Phase Transition

Fernando J. Gómez-Ruiz, Jack J. Mayo, and Adolfo del Campo
Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 240602 – Published 17 June 2020
Physics logo See Viewpoint: Defect or No Defect: It’s a Toss Up
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Abstract

We consider the number distribution of topological defects resulting from the finite-time crossing of a continuous phase transition and identify signatures of universality beyond the mean value, predicted by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism. Statistics of defects follows a binomial distribution with N Bernouilli trials associated with the probability of forming a topological defect at the locations where multiple domains merge. All cumulants of the distribution are predicted to exhibit a common universal power-law scaling with the quench time in which the transition is crossed. Knowledge of the distribution is used to discuss the onset of adiabatic dynamics and bound rare events associated with large deviations.

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  • Received 16 December 2019
  • Accepted 28 April 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.240602

© 2020 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Statistical Physics & ThermodynamicsGeneral PhysicsCondensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

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Defect or No Defect: It’s a Toss Up

Published 17 June 2020

A theoretical study of phase transitions reveals new universal nonequilibrium features in the statistics of topological defects.

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Authors & Affiliations

Fernando J. Gómez-Ruiz1,*, Jack J. Mayo1,2, and Adolfo del Campo1,3,4,†

  • 1Donostia International Physics Center, E-20018 San Sebastián, Spain
  • 2University of Groningen, 9712 CP Groningen, Netherlands
  • 3IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, E-48013 Bilbao, Spain
  • 4Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, USA

  • *fj.gomez34@dipc.org
  • adolfo.delcampo@dipc.org

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Issue

Vol. 124, Iss. 24 — 19 June 2020

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