Dynamical quantum phase transitions in the axial next-nearest-neighbor Ising chain

Abstract

We investigate sudden quenches across the critical point in the transverse field Ising chain with a perturbing nonintegrable next-nearest-neighbor interaction. Expressions for the return (Loschmidt) amplitude and associated rate function are derived to linear order in the next-nearest-neighbor coupling. In the thermodynamic limit these quantities exhibit nonanalytic behavior at a set of critical times, a phenomenon referred to as a dynamical quantum phase transition. We quantify the effect of the integrability breaking perturbation on the location and shape of these nonanalyticities. Our results agree with those of earlier numerical studies and offer further support for the assertion that the dynamical quantum phase transitions exhibited by this model are a generic feature of its postquench dynamics and are robust with respect to the inclusion of nonintegrable perturbations.