Continuous Symmetry Breaking Research Articles

Complex dimensions and their observability

We show that the dimension of spacetime becomes complex-valued when its short-scale geometry is invariant under a discrete scaling symmetry. This characteristic can generically arise in quantum gravities, for instance, in those based on combinatorial or multifractal structures or as the partial breaking of continuous dilation symmetry in any conformal-invariant theory. With its infinite scale hierarchy, discrete scale invariance overlaps with the traditional separation between ultraviolet and infrared physics and it can leave an all-range observable imprint, such as a pattern of log oscillations and sharp features in the cosmic microwave background primordial power spectrum.

Disorder-Driven Density and Spin Self-Ordering of a Bose-Einstein Condensate in a Cavity.

We study spatial spin and density self-ordering of a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate via collective Raman scattering into a linear cavity mode. The onset of the Dicke superradiance phase transition is marked by a simultaneous appearance of a crystalline density order and a spin-wave order. The latter spontaneously breaks the discrete Z_{2} symmetry between even and odd sites of the cavity optical potential. Moreover, in the superradiant state the continuous U(1) symmetry of the relative phase of the two condensate wave functions is explicitly broken by the cavity-induced position-dependent Raman coupling with a zero spatial average. Thus, the spatially averaged relative condensate phase is locked at either π/2 or -π/2. This continuous symmetry breaking and relative condensate phase locking by a zero-average Raman field can be considered as a generic order-by-disorder process similar to the random-field-induced order in the two-dimensional classical ferromagnetic XY spin model. However, the seed of the random field in our model stems from quantum fluctuations in the cavity field and is a dynamical entity affected by self-ordering. The spectra of elementary excitations exhibit the typical mode softening at the superradiance threshold.

Continuous Symmetry Breaking in 1D Long-Range Interacting Quantum Systems.

Continuous symmetry breaking (CSB) in low-dimensional systems, forbidden by the Mermin-Wagner theorem for short-range interactions, may take place in the presence of slowly decaying long-range interactions. Nevertheless, there is no stringent bound on how slowly interactions should decay to give rise to CSB in 1D quantum systems at zero temperature. Here, we study a long-range interacting spin chain with U(1) symmetry and power-law interactions V(r)∼1/r^{α}. Using a number of analytical and numerical techniques, we find CSB for α smaller than a critical exponent α_{c}(≤3) that depends on the microscopic parameters of the model. Furthermore, the transition from the gapless XY phase to the gapless CSB phase is mediated by the breaking of conformal and Lorentz symmetries due to long-range interactions, and is described by a universality class akin to, but distinct from, the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition. Signatures of the CSB phase should be accessible in existing trapped-ion experiments.

Supersolid formation in a quantum gas breaking a continuous translational symmetry.

The concept of a supersolid state combines the crystallization of a many-body system with dissipationless flow of the atoms from which it is built. This quantum phase requires the breaking of two continuous symmetries: the phase invariance of a superfluid and the continuous translational invariance to form the crystal. Despite having been proposed for helium almost 50 years ago, experimental verification of supersolidity remains elusive. A variant with only discrete translational symmetry breaking on a preimposed lattice structure-the 'lattice supersolid'-has been realized, based on self-organization of a Bose-Einstein condensate. However, lattice supersolids do not feature the continuous ground-state degeneracy that characterizes the supersolid state as originally proposed. Here we report the realization of a supersolid with continuous translational symmetry breaking along one direction in a quantum gas. The continuous symmetry that is broken emerges from two discrete spatial symmetries by symmetrically coupling a Bose-Einstein condensate to the modes of two optical cavities. We establish the phase coherence of the supersolid and find a high ground-state degeneracy by measuring the crystal position over many realizations through the light fields that leak from the cavities. These light fields are also used to monitor the position fluctuations in real time. Our concept provides a route to creating and studying glassy many-body systems with controllably lifted ground-state degeneracies, such as supersolids in the presence of disorder.

Chiral Lagrangian from Duality and Monopole Operators in Compactified QCD.

We show that there exists a special compactification of QCD on R^{3}×S^{1} in which the theory has a domain where continuous chiral symmetry breaking is analytically calculable. We give a microscopic derivation of the chiral Lagrangian, the chiral condensate, and the Gell-Mann-Oakes-Renner relation m_{π}^{2}f_{π}^{2}=-m_{q}⟨q[over ¯]q⟩. Abelian duality, monopole operators, and flavor-twisted boundary conditions play the main roles. The flavor twisting leads to the new effect of fractional jumping of fermion zero modes among monopole instantons. Chiral symmetry breaking is induced by monopole-instanton operators, and the Nambu-Goldstone pions arise by color-flavor transmutation from gapless "dual photons." We also give a microscopic picture of the "constituent quark" masses. Our results are consistent with expectations from chiral perturbation theory at large S^{1}, and yield strong support for adiabatic continuity between the small-S^{1} and large-S^{1} regimes. We also find concrete microscopic connections between N=1 and N=2 supersymmetric gauge theory dynamics and nonsupersymmetric QCD dynamics.

Transverse optical and atomic pattern formation

The study of transverse optical pattern formation has been studied extensively in nonlinear optics, with a recent experimental interest in studying the phenomenon using cold atoms, which can undergo real-space self-organization. Here, we describe our experimental observation of pattern formation in cold atoms, which occurs using less than 1 microWatt of applied power. We show that the optical patterns and the self-organized atomic structures undergo continuous symmetry-breaking, which is characteristic of non-equilibrium phenomena in a multimode system. To theoretically describe pattern formation in cold atoms, we present a self-consistent model that allows for tight atomic bunching in the applied optical lattice. We derive the nonlinear refractive index of a gas of multi-level atoms in an optical lattice, and we derive the threshold conditions under which pattern formation occurs. We show that, by using small detunings and sub-Doppler temperatures, one achieves two orders of magnitude reduced intensity thresholds for pattern formation compared to warm atoms.

Effective Topological Charge Cancelation Mechanism.

Topological defects (TDs) appear almost unavoidably in continuous symmetry breaking phase transitions. The topological origin makes their key features independent of systems’ microscopic details; therefore TDs display many universalities. Because of their strong impact on numerous material properties and their significant role in several technological applications it is of strong interest to find simple and robust mechanisms controlling the positioning and local number of TDs. We present a numerical study of TDs within effectively two dimensional closed soft films exhibiting in-plane orientational ordering. Popular examples of such class of systems are liquid crystalline shells and various biological membranes. We introduce the Effective Topological Charge Cancellation mechanism controlling localised positional assembling tendency of TDs and the formation of pairs {defect, antidefect} on curved surfaces and/or presence of relevant “impurities” (e.g. nanoparticles). For this purpose, we define an effective topological charge Δmeff consisting of real, virtual and smeared curvature topological charges within a surface patch Δς identified by the typical spatially averaged local Gaussian curvature K. We demonstrate a strong tendency enforcing Δmeff → 0 on surfaces composed of Δς exhibiting significantly different values of spatially averaged K. For Δmeff ≠ 0 we estimate a critical depinning threshold to form pairs {defect, antidefect} using the electrostatic analogy.

Projected Symmetry Breaking in Dipole-Locked $$^3$$ 3 He-B

We show theoretically that a collision of two superfluid droplets can effectively cause a two-dimensional symmetry breaking phase transition. Three-dimensional nucleation of quantized vortices and/or hedgehogs in the collision are considered the formation of domain walls and/or point vortices due to the Kibble–Zurek mechanism in a projected two-dimensional space. This problem is generally applicable to arbitrarily ordered media that undergo spontaneous breaking of continuous symmetries.

Differential symmetry breaking operators: I. General theory and F-method

We prove a one-to-one correspondence between differential symmetry breaking operators for equivariant vector bundles over two homogeneous spaces and certain homomorphisms for representations of two Lie algebras, in connection with branching problems of the restriction of representations. We develop a new method (F-method) based on the algebraic Fourier transform for generalized Verma modules, which characterizes differential symmetry breaking operators by means of certain systems of partial differential equations. In contrast to the setting of real flag varieties, continuous symmetry breaking operators of Hermitian symmetric spaces are proved to be differential operators in the holomorphic setting. In this case, symmetry breaking operators are characterized by differential equations of second order via the F-method.

300 nm bandwidth adiabatic SOI polarization splitter-rotators exploiting continuous symmetry breaking

Adiabatic polarization splitter-rotators are investigated exploiting continuous symmetry breaking thereby achieving significant device size and losses reduction in a single mask fabrication process for both SOI channel and ridge waveguides. A crosstalk lower than -25 dB is expected over 300nm bandwidth, making the device suitable for full grid CWDM and diplexer/triplexer FTTH applications at 1310, 1490 and 1550nm.

Domain Patterns in Homogeneous and Random Perturbed Nematic Liquid Crystals: A Simulation Study

We have simulated lattice models of homogenous and randomly perturbed systems exhibiting continuous symmetry breaking, concentrating on domain sizes and configuration character. The system consists of rod-like objects within a cubic lattice interacting via a Lebwohl–Lasher-type interaction at temperature T, but including impurities at concentration p imposing a random anisotropy field-type disorder, coupled with anchoring strength W to neighboring host director molecules. An example of such systems represents nematic LC or nanotubes. We study molecular domain patterns as a function of p, W, T, and sample history. Histories are defined either by a temperature-quenched history (TQH), a field-quenched history (FQH) or from an annealed history (AH). Finite size-scaling is used to determine the nature of the orientational ordering correlations. We distinguish three different kinds of phase. Short ranged order (SRO) implies exponential decay of orientational correlations. Quasi-long-range order (QLRO) sustains algebraic decay of orientational correlations. True long-range order (LRO) implies a non-zero order parameter in the thermodynamic limit in the absence of an external field. In the TQH case for particular values of p and W, we find SRO or QLRO, with possible LRO at very low W and p. For FQH, in the limit of very low W and p, we observe LRO, which gives way to an SRO regime with increasing p and W. Comparing FQH and TQH histories at particular values of T, we saw QLRO and SRO respectively. The crossover between regimes depends on history, but in general, the FQH yields a more ordered phase than the AH, which in turn yields a more ordered phase than the TQH. In phases in which SRO occurs, the orientational correlation length in the weak-disorder limit obeys universal Imry-Ma scaling ξd ∼ W− 2/(4 − d).

An adjustable-length cavity and Bose–Einstein condensate apparatus for multimode cavity QED

We present a novel cavity QED system in which a Bose–Einstein condensate (BEC) is trapped within a high-finesse optical cavity whose length may be adjusted to access both single-mode and multimode configurations. We demonstrate the coupling of an atomic ensemble to the cavity in both configurations and measure that the single-atom, -mode cooperativity exceeds unity. The atoms are confined either within an intracavity far-off-resonance optical dipole trap or a crossed optical dipole trap via transversely oriented lasers. Multimode cavity QED provides fully emergent and dynamical optical lattices for intracavity BECs, in that the process of atomic self-organization may be described as a continuous symmetry breaking phase transition resulting in the emergence of a compliant lattice with phonon-like excitations. Such systems will enable explorations of quantum soft matter, including superfluid smectics, superfluid glasses, and spin glasses as well as neuromorphic associative memory.

Modeling spontaneous breaking of time-translation symmetry

We show that an ultra-cold atomic cloud bouncing on an oscillating mirror can reveal spontaneous breaking of a discrete time translation symmetry. In many-body simulations we illustrate the process of the symmetry breaking that can be induced by atomic losses or by a measurement of particle positions. The results pave the way for understanding and realization of the time crystal idea where crystalline structures form in the time domain due to spontaneous breaking of continuous time translation symmetry.

Renormalization group analysis of the competition between distinct order parameters

We perform a detailed renormalization group analysis to study a (2+1)-dimensional quantum field theory that is composed of two interacting scalar bosons, which represent the order parameters for two continuous phase transitions. This sort of field theory can describe the competition and coexistence between distinct long-range orders, and therefore plays a vital role in statistical physics and condensed matter physics. We first derive and solve the renormalization group equations of all the relevant physical parameters, and then show that the system does not have any stable fixed point in the lowest energy limit. Interestingly, this conclusion holds in both the ordered and disordered phases, and also at the quantum critical point. Therefore, the originally continuous transitions are unavoidably turned to first-order due to ordering competition. Moreover, we examine the impacts of massless Goldstone boson generated by continuous symmetry breaking on ordering competition, and briefly discuss the physical implications of our results.

Fermionic projected entangled pair states at finite temperature

An algorithm for imaginary time evolution of a fermionic projected entangled pair state with ancillas from infinite temperature down to a finite temperature state is presented. As a benchmark application, it is applied to spinless fermions hopping on a square lattice subject to $p$-wave pairing interactions. With a tiny bias it allows one to evolve the system across a high-temperature continuous symmetry-breaking phase transition.

Hyperbolic spin vortices and textures in exciton–polariton condensates

From cosmology to the microscopic scales of the quantum world, the study of topological excitations is essential for the understanding of phase conformation and phase transitions. Quantum fluids are convenient systems to investigate topological entities because well-established techniques are available for their preparation, control and measurement. Across a phase transition, a system dramatically changes its properties because of the spontaneous breaking of certain continuous symmetries, leading to generation of topological defects. In particular, attention is given to entities that involve both spin and phase topologies. Exciton-polariton condensates are quantum fluids combining coherence and spin properties that, thanks to their light-matter nature, bring the advantage of direct optical access to the condensate order parameter. Here we report on the spontaneous occurrence of hyperbolic spin vortices in polariton condensates, by directly imaging both their phase and spin structure, and observe the associated spatial polarization patterns, spin textures that arise in the condensate.

Symmetry breaking in nematic liquid crystals: analogy with cosmology and magnetism

Universal behavior related to continuous symmetry breaking in nematic liquid crystals is studied using Brownian molecular dynamics. A three-dimensional lattice system of rod-like objects interacting via the Lebwohl–Lasher interaction is considered. We test the applicability of predictions originally derived in cosmology and magnetism. In the first part we focus on coarsening dynamics following the temperature driven isotropic–nematic phase transition for different quench rates. The behavior in the early coarsening regime supports predictions made originally by Kibble in cosmology. For fast enough quenches, symmetry breaking and causality give rise to a dense tangle of defects. When the degree of orientational ordering is large enough, well defined protodomains characterized by a single average domain length are formed. With time subcritical domains gradually vanish and supercritical domains grow with time, exhibiting a universal scaling law. In the second part of the paper we study the impact of random-field-type disorder on a range of ordering in the (symmetry broken) nematic phase. We demonstrate that short-range order is observed even for a minute concentration of impurities, giving rise to disorder in line with the Imry–Ma theorem prediction only for the appropriate history of systems.

Coherence of two-dimensional electron-hole systems: Spontaneous breaking of continuous symmetries: A review

The spontaneous breaking of the continuous symmetries of a two-dimensional electron-hole system in a strong magnetic field perpendicular to the plane leads to the formation of new ground states and determines the energy spectrum of collective elementary excitations that appear above these new ground states. In this review, the main attention is paid to the electron-hole system formed from coplanar magnetoexcitons under conditions of Bose-Einstein condensation in the ground state with the wave vector k = 0 taking into account the influence of excited Landau levels, when exciton-type elementary excitations coexist with plasmon-type oscillations. At the same time, the properties of a two-component system consisting of a two-dimensional electron gas and a two-dimensional hole gas spatially separated in a double quantum well under conditions of the fractional quantum Hall effect are of great interest, because these properties can affect the quantum states of magnetic excitons that are formed when the distance between the layers tends to zero. Bilayer electron systems are also considered under conditions of the fractional quantum Hall effect with the one-half filling factor for each layer and the total filling factor equal to unity for both layers. The coherence between the electron states in the two layers is equivalent to the formation of excitons in a macroscopic coherent state. This makes it possible to compare the energy spectrum of collective elementary excitations of Bose-Einstein condensed excitons under conditions of the quantum Hall effect and coplanar magnetoexcitons. The breaking of the global gauge symmetry or of the continuous rotational symmetry leads to the formation of a gapless spectrum of the Nambu-Goldstone type, whereas the breaking of the local gauge symmetry is accompanied by the appearance of a gap in the energy spectrum (Higgs phenomenon). These phenomena are equivalent to the formation of massless and massive particles in the relativistic physics. The application of the Nielsen-Chadha theorem, which determines the number of Nambu-Goldstone modes as a function of the number of broken symmetry operators, is demonstrated using the example of Bose-Einstein condensation of spinor atomic gases in an optical trap. This example is presented for a better understanding of the results obtained in the case of a Bose-Einstein condensation of coplanar magnetoexcitons. The Higgs phenomenon leads to the formation of composite particles under conditions of the fractional quantum Hall effect. Their description is given in terms of the Ginzburg-Landau theory. The possibilities for the appearance of spontaneous coherence in a system of indirect excitons in structures with a double quantum well are analyzed. The experimental attempts to create these conditions, the main results obtained in this field, and the accumulated knowledge are reviewed. The basic properties of the energy spectrum of magnetoexciton polaritons in a microcavity are formulated. A hypothesis is put forward about the possibility of forming two-dimensional magnetoexcitons and two-dimensional magnetoexciton polaritons of high density with attached point quantum vortices, i.e., about the possibility of forming new composite particles.

Thermal phase transition for some spin-boson models

In this work we study two different spin-boson models. Such models are generalizations of the Dicke model, it means they describe systems of N identical two-level atoms coupled to a single-mode quantized bosonic field, assuming the rotating wave approximation. In the first model, we consider the wavelength of the bosonic field to be of the order of the linear dimension of the material composed of the atoms, therefore we consider the spatial sinusoidal form of the bosonic field. The second model is the Thompson model, where we consider the presence of phonons in the material composed of the atoms. We study finite temperature properties of the models using the path integral approach and functional methods. In the thermodynamic limit, N→∞, the systems exhibit phase transitions from normal to superradiant phase at some critical values of temperature and coupling constant. We find the asymptotic behavior of the partition functions and the collective spectrums of the systems in the normal and the superradiant phases. We observe that the collective spectrums have zero energy values in the superradiant phases, corresponding to the Goldstone mode associated to the continuous symmetry breaking of the models. Our analysis and results are valid in the limit of zero temperature β→∞, where the models exhibit quantum phase transitions.

Description of isomorphous transformations in materials with various kinds of molecular disorder

The Landau-type expansion of the free energy density function up to the eighth order with respect to the order parameter is used to describe the specific heat in structural transformations, where the symmetry does not change. This model implies three generic scenarios of phase transitions: (i) single discontinuous; (ii) one discontinuous (isomorphous) and one continuous (symmetry breaking transition); (iii) two continuous (the first transformation-like anomaly with no symmetry change, the second – symmetry breaking transition), depending on the value of the only negative coefficient of the sixth order. The specific heat data in MAPCB, 2,2-DM-1-B, 3,3-DM-2-B and 3TCB are analysed within proposed theory.