Real-time Renormalization Group Research Articles

Universal scaling of the dynamic BKT transition in quenched 2D Bose gases.

The understanding of nonequilibrium dynamics in many-body quantum systems is a fundamental issue in statistical physics. Experiments that probe universal properties of these systems can address such foundational questions. In this study, we report the measurement of universal dynamics triggered by a quench from the superfluid to normal phase across the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in a two-dimensional (2D) Bose gas. We reduced the density by splitting the 2D gas in two, realizing a quench across the critical point. The subsequent relaxation dynamics were probed with matter-wave interferometry to measure the local phase fluctuations. We show that the time evolution of both the phase correlation function and vortex density obeys universal scaling laws. This conclusion is supported by classical-field simulations and interpreted by means of real-time renormalization group theory.

Real-time motion of open quantum systems: Structure of entanglement, renormalization group, and trajectories

In this paper, we provide a complete description of the life cycle of entanglement during the real-time motion of open quantum systems. The quantum environment can have arbitrary (e.g., structured) spectral density. The entanglement can be seen constructively as a Lego: its bricks are the modes of the environment. These bricks are connected to each other via operator transforms. The central result is that during each infinitesimal time interval one new (incoming) mode of the environment gets coupled (entangled) to the open system, and one new (outgoing) mode gets irreversibly decoupled (disentangled from the future). Moreover, each moment of time, only a few relevant modes (three to four in the considered cases) are non-negligibly coupled to the future quantum motion. These relevant modes change (flow or renormalize) with time. As a result, the temporal entanglement has the structure of a matrix-product operator. This allows us to pose a number of questions and to answer them in this paper: What is the intrinsic quantum complexity of a real time motion? Does this complexity saturate with time or grow without bounds? How does one do the real-time renormalization group in a justified way? How do the classical Brownian stochastic trajectories emerge from the quantum evolution? How does one construct the few-mode representations of non-Markovian environments? We provide illustrative simulations of the spin-boson model for various spectral densities of the environment: semicircle, subohmic, ohmic, and superohmic.

Renormalization group transport theory for open quantum systems: Charge fluctuations in multilevel quantum dots in and out of equilibrium

We present the real-time renormalization group (RTRG) method as a method to describe the stationary state current through generic multi-level quantum dots with a complex setup in nonequilibrium. The employed approach consists of a very rudiment approximation for the RG equations which neglects all vertex corrections while it provides a means to compute the effective dot Liouvillian self-consistently. Being based on a weak-coupling expansion in the tunneling between dot and reservoirs, the RTRG approach turns out to reliably describe charge fluctuations in and out of equilibrium for arbitrary coupling strength, even at zero temperature. We confirm this in the linear response regime with a benchmark against highly-accurate numerically renormalization group data in the exemplary case of three-level quantum dots. For small to intermediate bias voltages and weak Coulomb interactions, we find an excellent agreement between RTRG and functional renormalization group data, which can be expected to be accurate in this regime. As a consequence, we advertise the presented RTRG approach as an efficient and versatile tool to describe charge fluctuations theoretically in quantum dot systems.

Dissipative quantum mechanics beyond the Bloch-Redfield approximation: A consistent weak-coupling expansion of the Ohmic spin boson model at arbitrary bias

We study the time dynamics of the ohmic spin boson model at arbitrary bias $\epsilon$ and small coupling $\alpha$ to the bosonic bath. Using perturbation theory and the real-time renormalization group (RG) method we present a consistent zero-temperature weak-coupling expansion for the time evolution of the reduced density matrix one order beyond the Bloch-Redfield solution. We develop a renormalized perturbation theory and present an analytical solution covering the whole range from small to large times, including further results for exponentially small or large times. Resumming all secular terms in all orders of perturbation theory we find exponential decay for all terms of the time evolution. We determine the preexponential functions and find slowly varying logarithmic terms with the renormalized Rabi frequency $\Omega$ as energy scale together with strongly varying parts falling off asymptocially as $1/t$ in leading order, in contrast to the unbiased case. Resumming all logarithmic terms in all orders of perturbation theory via real-time RG we find the correct renormalized tunneling and a power-law behaviour for the oscillating modes with exponent crossing over from $2\alpha$ for exponentially small times to a bias-dependent value $2\alpha \epsilon^2/\Omega^2$ for exponentially large times. Furthermore, we present a degenerate perturbation theory to calculate consistently the purely decaying mode one order beyond Bloch-Redfield.

Dynamic Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in two-dimensional Bose mixtures of ultracold atoms

We propose a realistic experiment to demonstrate a dynamic Kosterlitz-Thouless transition in ultra-cold atomic gases in two dimensions. With a numerical implementation of the Truncated Wigner Approximation we simulate the time evolution of several correlation functions, which can be measured via matter wave interference. We demonstrate that the relaxational dynamics is well-described by a real-time renormalization group approach, and argue that these experiments can guide the development of a theoretical framework for the understanding of critical dynamics.

Contact process with temporal disorder.

We investigate the influence of time-varying environmental noise, i.e., temporal disorder, on the nonequilibrium phase transition of the contact process. Combining a real-time renormalization group, scaling theory, and large scale Monte-Carlo simulations in one and two dimensions, we show that the temporal disorder gives rise to an exotic critical point. At criticality, the effective noise amplitude diverges with increasing time scale, and the probability distribution of the density becomes infinitely broad, even on a logarithmic scale. Moreover, the average density and survival probability decay only logarithmically with time. This infinite-noise critical behavior can be understood as the temporal counterpart of infinite-randomness critical behavior in spatially disordered systems, but with exchanged roles of space and time. We also analyze the generality of our results, and we discuss potential experiments.

Steady-state and quench-dependent relaxation of a quantum dot coupled to one-dimensional leads

We study the time evolution and steady state of the charge current in a single-impurity Anderson model, using matrix product states techniques. A nonequilibrium situation is imposed by applying a bias voltage across one-dimensional tight-binding leads. Focusing on particle-hole symmetry, we extract current-voltage characteristics from universal low-bias up to high-bias regimes, where band effects start to play a dominant role. We discuss three quenches, which after strongly quench-dependent transients yield the same steady-state current. Among these quenches we identify those favorable for extracting steady-state observables. The period of short-time oscillations is shown to compare well to real-time renormalization group results for a simpler model of spinless fermions. We find indications that many-body effects play an important role at high-bias voltage and finite bandwidth of the metallic leads. The growth of entanglement entropy after a certain time scale (proportional to the inverse of Delta) is the major limiting factor for calculating the time evolution. We show that the magnitude of the steady-state current positively correlates with entanglement entropy. The role of high-energy states for the steady-state current is explored by considering a damping term in the time evolution.

Magnetic field effects on the finite-frequency noise and ac conductance of a Kondo quantum dot out of equilibrium

We present analytic results for the finite-frequency current noise and the nonequilibrium ac conductance for a Kondo quantum dot in presence of a magnetic field. Using the real-time renormalization group method, we determine the line shape close to resonances and show that while all resonances in the ac conductance are broadened by the transverse spin relaxation rate, the noise at finite field additionally involves the longitudinal rate as well as sharp kinks resulting in singular derivatives. Our results provide a consistent theoretical description of recent experimental data for the emission noise at zero magnetic field, and we propose the extension to finite field for which we present a detailed prediction.

Scaling of the Kondo zero-bias peak in a hole quantum dot at finite temperatures

We have measured the zero bias peak in differential conductance in a hole quantum dot. We have scaled the experimental data with applied bias and compared to real time renormalization group calculations of the differential conductance as a function of source-drain bias in the limit of zero temperature and at finite temperatures. The experimental data show deviations from the T=0 calculations at low bias, but are in very good agreement with the finite T calculations. The Kondo temperature T_K extracted from the data using T=0 calculations, and from the peak width at 2/3 maximum, is significantly higher than that obtained from finite T calculations.

Keldysh effective action theory for universal physics in spin-12Kondo dots

We present a theory for the Kondo spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ effect in strongly correlated quantum dots. The theory is applicable at any temperature and voltage. It is based on a quadratic Keldysh effective action parametrized by a universal function. We provide a general analytical form for the tunneling density of states through this universal function for which we propose a simple microscopic model. We apply our theory to the highly asymmetric Anderson model with $U=\ensuremath{\infty}$ and describe its strong-coupling limit, weak-coupling limit, and crossover region within a single analytical expression. We compare our results with a numerical renormalization group in equilibrium and with a real-time renormalization group out of equilibrium and show that the universal shapes of the linear and differential conductance obtained in our theory and in these theories are very close to each other in a wide range of temperatures and voltages. In particular, as in the real-time renormalization group, we predict that at the Kondo voltage the differential conductance is equal to $2/3$ of its maximum.

Fermionic superoperators for zero-temperature nonlinear transport: Real-time perturbation theory and renormalization group for Anderson quantum dots

We study the transport through a strongly interacting Anderson quantum dot at zero-temperature using the real-time renormalization group (RT-RG) in the framework of a kinetic equation for the reduced density operator. We further develop the general finite temperature real-time transport formalism by introducing field superoperators that obey fermionic statistics. This direct second quantization in Liouville-Fock space strongly simplifies the construction of operators and superoperators which transform irreducibly under the Anderson-model symmetry transformations. The fermionic field superoperators naturally arise from the univalence (fermion-parity) superselection rule for the total system. Expressed in these field superoperators, the causal structure of the perturbation theory for the effective time-evolution superoperator-kernel becomes explicit. The causal structure also implies the existence of a fermion-parity protected eigenvector of the exact Liouvillian, explaining a recently reported result on adiabatic driving [Phys. Rev. B 85, 075301 (2012)] and generalizing it to arbitrary order in the tunnel coupling. Furthermore, in the WBL the causal representation exponentially reduces the number of diagrams for the time-evolution kernel. We perform a complete 2-loop RG analysis at finite voltage and magnetic field, while systematically accounting for the dependence on both the quantum dot and reservoir frequencies. Using the second quantization in Liouville-space and symmetry restrictions we obtain analytical RT-RG equations with an efficient numerical solution and we extensively study the model parameter space, excluding the Kondo regime. The incorporated renormalization effects result in an enhancement of the inelastic cotunneling peak. Moreover, we find a tunnel-induced non-linearity of the stability diagrams at finite voltage, both in the SET and ICT regime.

Noisy quantum phase transitions: an intuitive approach

Equilibrium thermal noise is known to destroy any quantum phase transition. What are the effects of non-equilibrium noise? In two recent papers, we have considered the specific case of a resistively shunted Josephson junction driven by 1/f charge noise. At equilibrium, this system undergoes a sharp quantum phase transition at a critical value of the shunt resistance. By applying a real-time renormalization group approach, we found that the noise has three main effects: it shifts the phase transition, renormalizes the resistance and generates an effective temperature. In this paper, we explain how to understand these effects using simpler arguments based on Kirchhoff laws and time-dependent perturbation theory. We also show how these effects modify physical observables and especially the current–voltage characteristic of the junction. In the appendix, we describe two possible realizations of the model with ultracold atoms confined to one dimension.

Nonequilibrium Kondo model: Crossover from weak to strong coupling

We analyze the nonequilibrium Kondo model at finite voltage and temperature by using a new formulation of the real-time renormalization group method with the Laplace variable as the flow parameter. We evaluate the energy-dependent spin relaxation rate and nonlinear conductance, and derive an approximate form for the universal line shape for the latter in the whole crossover regime from weak to strong coupling. The results are shown to agree well with exact methods in equilibrium, Fermi-liquid theory, weak-coupling expansions, and recent experiments. For the transient spin dynamics we find a universal exponential decay in the long-time limit along with a truncation-dependent pre-exponential power law. For multichannel models a pure power-law decay typical for non-Fermi-liquid behavior is predicted.

Universal line shape of the Kondo zero-bias anomaly in a quantum dot

Encouraged by recent real-time renormalization group results, we carried out a detailed analysis of the nonequilibrium Kondo conductance observed in an InAs nanowire-based quantum dot and found them to be in excellent agreement. We show that in a wide range of biases the Kondo conductance zero-bias anomaly is scaled by the Kondo temperature to a universal line shape predicted by the numerical study. The line shape can be approximated by a phenomenological expression of a single argument $e{V}_{\mathrm{sd}}/{k}_{\mathrm{B}}{T}_{\mathrm{K}}$. The knowledge of an analytical expression for the line shape provides an alternative way to estimate the Kondo temperature in a real experiment, with no need for time-consuming temperature dependence measurements of the linear conductance.

Nonequilibrium transport through quantum dots with Dzyaloshinsky-Moriya-Kondo interaction

We study non-equilibrium transport through a single-orbital Anderson model in a magnetic field with spin-dependent hopping amplitudes. In the cotunneling regime it is described by an effective spin-1/2 dot with a Dzyaloshinsky--Moriya--Kondo (DMK) interaction between the spin on the dot and the electron spins in the leads. Using a real-time renormalization group technique we show that at low temperatures (i) the DMK interaction is strongly renormalized, (ii) the renormalized magnetic field acquires a linear voltage dependence, and (iii) the differential conductance exhibits a voltage asymmetry which is strongly enhanced by logarithmic corrections. We propose transport measurements in which these signatures can be observed.

Renormalization group analysis of the interacting resonant-level model at finite bias: Generic analytic study of static properties and quench dynamics

Using a real-time renormalization group method we study the minimal model of a quantum dot dominated by charge fluctuations, the two-lead interacting resonant level model, at finite bias voltage. We develop a set of RG equations to treat the case of weak and strong charge fluctuations, together with the determination of power-law exponents up to second order in the Coulomb interaction. We derive analytic expressions for the charge susceptibility, the steady-state current and the conductance in the situation of arbitrary system parameters, in particular away from the particle-hole symmetric point and for asymmetric Coulomb interactions. In the generic asymmetric situation we find that power laws can be observed for the current only as function of the level position (gate voltage) but not as function of the voltage. Furthermore, we study the quench dynamics after a sudden switch-on of the level-lead couplings. The time evolution of the dot occupation and current is governed by exponential relaxation accompanied by voltage-dependent oscillations and characteristic algebraic decay.

Erratum: Real-time renormalization group in frequency space: A two-loop analysis of the nonequilibrium anisotropic Kondo model at finite magnetic field [Phys. Rev. B80, 045117 (2009)

Erratum: Real-time renormalization group in frequency space: A two-loop analysis of the nonequilibrium anisotropic Kondo model at finite magnetic field [Phys. Rev. B<b>80</b>, 045117 (2009)

Dynamical spin-spin correlation functions in the Kondo model out of equilibrium

We calculate the dynamical spin-spin correlation functions of a Kondo dot coupled to two noninteracting leads held at different chemical potentials. To this end we generalize a recently developed real-time renormalization group method in frequency space (RTRG-FS) to allow the calculation of dynamical correlation functions of arbitrary dot operators in systems describing spin and/or orbital fluctuations. The resulting two-loop RG equations are analytically solved in the weak-coupling regime. This implies that the method can be applied provided either the voltage $V$ through the dot or the external magnetic field $h_0$ are sufficiently large, $\max\{V,h_0\}\gg T_K$, where the Kondo temperature $T_K$ is the scale where the system enters the strong-coupling regime. Explicitly, we calculate the longitudinal and transverse spin-spin correlation and response functions as well as the resulting fluctuation-dissipation ratios. The correlation functions in real-frequency space can be calculated in Matsubara space without the need of any analytical continuation. We obtain analytic results for the line-shape, the small- and large-frequency limits and several other features like the height and width of the peak in the transverse susceptibility at $\Omega\approx\tilde{h}$, where $\tilde{h}$ denotes the reduced magnetic field. Furthermore, we discuss how the developed method can be generalized to calculate dynamical correlation functions of other operators involving reservoir degrees of freedom as well.

Real-time renormalization group in frequency space: A two-loop analysis of the nonequilibrium anisotropic Kondo model at finite magnetic field

We apply a recently developed nonequilibrium real-time renormalization group (RG) method in frequency space to describe nonlinear quantum transport through a small fermionic quantum system coupled weakly to several reservoirs via spin and/or orbital fluctuations. Within a weak-coupling two-loop analysis, we derive analytic formulas for the nonlinear conductance and the kernel determining the time evolution of the reduced density matrix. A consistent formalism is presented how the RG flow is cut off by relaxation and dephasing rates. We apply the general formalism to the nonequilibrium anisotropic Kondo model at finite magnetic field. We consider the weak-coupling regime, where the maximum of voltage and bare magnetic field is larger than the Kondo temperature. In this regime, we calculate the nonlinear conductance, the magnetic susceptibility, the renormalized spin relaxation and dephasing rates, and the renormalized $g$ factor. All quantities are considered up to the first logarithmic correction beyond leading order at resonance. Up to a redefinition of the Kondo temperature, we confirm previous results for the conductance and the magnetic susceptibility in the isotropic case. In addition, we present a consistent calculation of the resonant line shapes, including the determination whether the spin relaxation or dephasing rate cuts off the logarithmic divergence. Furthermore, we calculate quantities characterizing the exponential decay of the time evolution of the magnetization. In contrast to the conductance, we find that the derivative of the spin relaxation (dephasing) rate with respect to the magnetic field is logarithmically enhanced (suppressed) for voltages smaller (larger) than the renormalized magnetic field, and that the logarithmic divergence is cut off by the opposite rate. The renormalized $g$ factor is predicted to show a symmetric logarithmic suppression at resonance, which is cut off by the spin relaxation rate. We propose a three-terminal setup to measure the suppression at resonance. For all quantities, we analyze also the anisotropic case and find additional nonequilibrium effects at resonance.

Real-time renormalization group and cutoff scales in nonequilibrium applied to an arbitrary quantum dot in the Coulomb blockade regime

We apply the real-time renormalization group (RG) in nonequilibrium to an arbitrary quantum dot in the Coulomb blockade regime. Within one-loop RG equations, we include self-consistently the kernel governing the dynamics of the reduced density matrix of the dot. As a result, we find that relaxation and dephasing rates generically cut off the RG flow. In addition, we include all other cutoff scales defined by temperature, energy excitations, frequency, and voltage. We apply the formalism to transport through single molecular magnets, realized by the fully anisotropic Kondo model (with three different exchange couplings ${J}_{x}$, ${J}_{y}$, and ${J}_{z}$) in a magnetic field ${h}_{z}$. We calculate the differential conductance as function of bias voltage $V$ and discuss a quantum phase transition which can be tuned by changing the sign of ${J}_{x}{J}_{y}{J}_{z}$ via the anisotropy parameters. Finally, we calculate the noise $S(\ensuremath{\Omega})$ at finite frequency $\ensuremath{\Omega}$ for the isotropic Kondo model and find that the dephasing rate determines the height of the shoulders in $dS(\ensuremath{\Omega})∕d\ensuremath{\Omega}$ near $\ensuremath{\Omega}=V$.