Nonequilibrium phases and phase transitions of the XY model

Abstract

We obtain the steady-state phase diagram of a transverse-field XY spin chain coupled at its ends to magnetic reservoirs held at different magnetic potentials. In the long-time limit, the magnetization bias across the system generates a current-carrying nonequilibrium steady state. We characterize the different nonequilibrium phases as functions of the chain's parameters and magnetic potentials, in terms of their correlation functions and entanglement content. The mixed-order transition, previously observed for the case of a transverse-field Ising chain, is established to emerge as a generic feature of a wider class of out-of-equilibrium problems. The critical exponents associated with this universality class are determined analytically. Results are also contrasted with those obtained in the limit of Markovian reservoirs. Our findings should prove helpful in establishing the properties of nonequilibrium phases and phase transitions of extended open quantum systems.