Time-dependent correlation functions in open quadratic fermionic systems

Abstract

We formulate and discuss the explicit computation of dynamic correlation functions in open quadratic fermionic systems which are driven and dissipated by Lindblad jump processes that are linear in canonical fermionic operators. Dynamic correlators are interpreted in terms of a local quantum quench where the pre-quench state is a non-equilibrium steady state, i.e. a fixed point of the Liouvillian. As an example, we study the XY spin 1/2 chain and quadratic Majorana chains with boundary Lindblad driving, whose dynamics exhibit asymmetric (skewed) light cone behaviour. We also numerically treat the two-dimensional XY model and the XY spin chain with additional Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interactions. The latter exhibits a new non-thermal phase transition which can be understood in terms of bifurcations of the quasi-particle dispersion relation.Finally, considering in some detail the periodic quadratic fermionic ring with dissipation at a single (arbitrary) site, we present analytical expressions for first order corrections (in the strength of dissipation) to the spectrum and non-equilibrium steady state (NESS) correlation functions.