Discrete symmetry breaking transitions between paired superfluids

Abstract

We explore the zero-temperature phase diagram of bosons interacting via Feshbach resonant pairing interactions in one dimension. Using DMRG (Density Matrix Renormalization Group) and field theory techniques we characterize the phases and quantum phase transitions in this low-dimensional setting. We provide a broad range of evidence in support of an Ising quantum phase transition separating distinct paired superfluids, including results for the energy gaps, correlation functions and entanglement entropy. In particular, we show that the Ising correlation length, order parameter and critical properties are directly accessible from a ratio of the atomic and molecular two-point functions. We further demonstrate that both the zero-momentum occupation numbers and the visibility are in accordance with the absence of a purely atomic superfluid phase. We comment on the connection to recent studies of boson pairing in a generalized classical XY model.