Second-order Quantum Phase Transition Research Articles

Effective field theories and finite-temperature properties of zero-dimensional superradiant quantum phase transitions

The existence of zero-dimensional superradiant quantum phase transitions seems inconsistent with conventional statistical physics. This work clarifies this apparent inconsistency. We demonstrate the corresponding effective field theories and finite-temperature properties of light-matter interacting systems, and show how this zero-dimensional quantum phase transition occurs. We first focus on the Rabi model, which is a minimum model that hosts a superradiant quantum phase transition. With the path-integral method, we derive the imaginary-time action of the photon degrees of freedom. We also define a dynamical critical exponent as the rescaling between the temperature and the photon frequency, and perform dimensional analysis to the effective action. The dynamical critical exponent shows that the effective theory of the Rabi model is a free scalar field, where a true second-order quantum phase transition emerges. These results are also verified by numerical simulations of imaginary-time correlation functions of the order parameter. Furthermore, we also generalize this method to the Dicke model. Our results make the zero-dimensional superradiant quantum phase transition compatible with conventional statistical physics, and pave the way to understand it in the perspective of effective field theories. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Generalized phase-space techniques to explore quantum phase transitions in critical quantum spin systems

We apply the generalized Wigner function formalism to detect and characterize a range of quantum phase transitions in several cyclic, finite-length, spin-12 one-dimensional spin-chain models, viz., the Ising and anisotropic XY models in a transverse field, and the XXZ anisotropic Heisenberg model. We make use of the finite system size to provide an exhaustive exploration of each system’s single-site, bipartite and multi-partite correlation functions. In turn, we are able to demonstrate the utility of phase-space techniques in detecting and characterizing first-order, second-order and infinite-order quantum phase transitions, while also enabling an in-depth analysis of the correlations present within critical systems. We also highlight the method’s ability to capture other features of spin systems such as ground-state factorization and critical system scaling. Finally, we demonstrate the generalized Wigner function’s utility for state verification by determining the state of each system and their constituent sub-systems at points of interest across the quantum phase transitions, enabling interesting features of critical systems to be readily analyzed.

Excited-state quantum phase transitions in the anharmonic Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model: Dynamical aspects.

The standard Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick (LMG) model undergoes a second-order ground-state quantum phase transition (QPT) and an excited-state quantum phase transition (ESQPT). The inclusion of an anharmonic term in the LMG Hamiltonian gives rise to a second ESQPT that alters the static properties of the model [Gamito et al., Phys. Rev. E 106, 044125 (2022)2470-004510.1103/PhysRevE.106.044125]. In the present work, the dynamical implications associated to this new ESQPT are analyzed. For that purpose, a quantum quench protocol is defined on the system Hamiltonian that takes an initial state, usually the ground state, into a complex excited state that evolves on time. The impact of the new ESQPT on the time evolution of the survival probability and the local density of states after the quantum quench, as well as on the Loschmidt echoes and the microcanonical out-of-time-order correlator (OTOC) are discussed. The anharmonity-induced ESQPT, despite having a different physical origin, has dynamical consequences similar to those observed in the ESQPT already present in the standard LMG model.

Anomalous universal adiabatic dynamics: The case of the Fredkin model

When a system is driven across a second-order quantum phase transition, the number of defects which are produced scales with the speed of the variation of the tuning parameter according to a universal law described by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism. We study a possible breakdown of this prediction proving that the number of defects can exhibit another universal scaling law which is still related only to the critical exponents $z$ and $\nu$, but differs from the Kibble-Zurek result. Finally we provide an example, the deformed Fredkin spin chain, where this violation of the standard adiabatic dynamics can occur.

Excited-state quantum phase transitions in the anharmonic Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model: Static aspects.

The basic Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model displays a second-order ground-state quantum phase transition and an excited-state quantum phase transition (ESQPT). The inclusion of an anharmonic term in the Hamiltonian implies a second ESQPT of a different nature. We characterize this ESQPT using the mean field limit of the model. The alternative ESQPT, associated with the changes in the boundary of the finite Hilbert space of the system, can be properly described using the order parameter of the ground-state quantum phase transition, the energy gap between adjacent states, the participation ratio, and the quantum fidelity susceptibility.

Topological quantum phase transitions in metallic Shiba lattices

Shiba bands formed by overlapping Yu-Shiba-Rusinov subgap states in magnetic impurities on a superconductor play an important role in topological superconductors. Here, we theoretically demonstrate the existence of a new type of Shiba bands (dubbed topological Shiba metal) on a magnetically doped $s$-wave superconducting surface with Rashba spin-orbit coupling in the presence of a weak in-plane magnetic field. Such topological gapless Shiba bands develop from gapped Shiba bands through Lifshitz phase transitions accompanied by second-order quantum phase transitions for the intrinsic thermal Hall conductance. We also find a mechanism in Shiba lattices that protects the first-order quantum phase transitions for the intrinsic thermal Hall conductance. Due to the long-range hopping in Shiba lattices, the topological Shiba metal exhibits intrinsic thermal Hall conductance with large nonquantized values. As a consequence, there emerge a large number of second-order quantum phase transitions.

Squeezed-light-induced quantum phase transition in the Jaynes-Cummings model

Quantum phase transition and quench dynamics in the Jaynes-Cummings model with squeezed light are investigated. We find a special unitary transformation that removes the nonintegrable squeezing interaction when the qubit frequency far outweighs the field frequency. The eigenenergies and the eigenstates of the normal and superradiant phases are derived analytically. We demonstrate that the system exhibits a second-order quantum phase transition at a phase-boundary-induced nonlinearly by squeezed light. This phase boundary requires neither an ultrastrong coupling regime nor multiqubits, which lessens the difficulty of the experiment. The entanglement entropy is very close to its maximum value as the squeezing strength increases in the superradiant phase. In quench dynamics, the nonlinear relation between the residual energy and the squeezing strength is obtained analytically.

Investigation of Structure and Nuclear Shape Phase Transition in Odd Nuclei in a multi-j model

In this paper‎, ‎we study the nature of the dynamics in second-order Quantum Phase Transition (QPT) between vibrational ( ) and -unstable ( ) nuclear shapes‎. ‎Using a transitional Hamiltonian according to an affine SU(1,1) algebra in combination with a coherent state formalism, Shape Phase Transitions (SPT) in odd-nuclei in the framework of the Interacting Boson Fermion Model (IBFM) are investigated‎. ‎Classical analysis reveals a change in the system along with the transition in a critical point‎. ‎The role of a fermion with angular momentum j at the critical point on quantum phase transitions in bosonic systems is investigated via a semi-classical approach‎. ‎The effect of the coupling of the odd particle to an even-even boson core is discussed along with the shape transition and‎, ‎in particular‎, ‎at the critical point‎. Our study confirms the importance of the odd nuclei as necessary signatures to characterize the occurrence of the phase transition and determine the critical point's precise position‎.

Bulk and boundary quantum phase transitions in a square Rydberg atom array

Motivated by recent experimental realizations of exotic phases of matter on programmable quantum simulators, we carry out a comprehensive theoretical study of quantum phase transitions in a Rydberg atom array on a square lattice, with both open and periodic boundary conditions. In the bulk, we identify several first-order and continuous phase transitions by performing large-scale quantum Monte Carlo simulations and develop an analytical understanding of the nature of these transitions using the framework of Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson theory. Remarkably, we find that under open boundary conditions, the boundary itself undergoes a second-order quantum phase transition, independent of the bulk. These results explain recent experimental observations and provide important insights into both the adiabatic state preparation of novel quantum phases and quantum optimization using Rydberg atom array platforms.

Quantum kernels to learn the phases of quantum matter

Classical machine learning has succeeded in the prediction of both classical and quantum phases of matter. Notably, kernel methods stand out for their ability to provide interpretable results, relating the learning process with the physical order parameter explicitly. Here we exploit quantum kernels instead. They are naturally related to the fidelity, and thus it is possible to interpret the learning process with the help of quantum information tools. In particular, we use a support vector machine (with a quantum kernel) to predict and characterize second-order quantum phase transitions. We explain and understand the process of learning when the fidelity per site (rather than the fidelity) is used. The general theory is tested in the Ising chain in transverse field. We show that for small-sized systems, the algorithm gives accurate results, even when trained away from criticality. Besides, for larger sizes we confirm the success of the technique by extracting the correct critical exponent $\ensuremath{\nu}$. Finally, we present two algorithms, one based on fidelity and one based on the fidelity per site, to classify the phases of matter in a quantum processor.

Emergent time, cosmological constant and boundary dimension at infinity in combinatorial quantum gravity

Combinatorial quantum gravity is governed by a discrete Einstein-Hilbert action formulated on an ensemble of random graphs. There is strong evidence for a second-order quantum phase transition separating a random phase at strong coupling from an ordered, geometric phase at weak coupling. Here we derive the picture of space-time that emerges in the geometric phase, given such a continuous phase transition. In the geometric phase, ground-state graphs are discretizations of Riemannian, negative-curvature Cartan-Hadamard manifolds. On such manifolds, diffusion is ballistic. Asymptotically, diffusion time is soldered with a manifold coordinate and, consequently, the probability distribution is governed by the wave equation on the corresponding Lorentzian manifold of positive curvature, de Sitter space-time. With this asymptotic Lorentzian picture, the original negative curvature of the Riemannian manifold turns into a positive cosmological constant. The Lorentzian picture, however, is valid only asymptotically and cannot be extrapolated back in coordinate time. Before a certain epoch, coordinate time looses its meaning and the universe is a negative-curvature Riemannian “shuttlecock” with ballistic diffusion, thereby avoiding a big bang singularity. The emerging coordinate time leads to a de Sitter version of the holographic principle relating the bulk isometries with boundary conformal transformations. While the topological boundary dimension is (D − 1), the so-called “dimension at infinity” of negative curvature manifolds, i.e. the large-scale spectral dimension seen by diffusion processes with no spectral gap, those that can probe the geometry at infinity, is always three.

Simulating violation of causality using a topological phase transition

We consider a topological Hamiltonian and establish a correspondence between its eigenstates and the resource for a causal order game introduced in Ref. [1] known as process matrix. We show that quantum correlations generated in the quantum many-body energy eigenstates of the model can mimic the statistics that can be obtained by exploiting different quantum measurements on the process matrix of the game. This provides an interpretation of the expectation values of the observables computed for the quantum many-body states in terms of the success probabilities of the game. As a result, we show that the ground state (GS) of the model can be related to the optimal strategy of the causal order game. Subsequently, we observe that at the point of maximum violation of the classical bound in the causal order game, corresponding quantum many-body model undergoes a second-order quantum phase transition (QPT). The correspondence equally holds even when we generalize the game for a higher number of parties.

Basis-independent quantum coherence and its distribution in spin chains with three-site interaction

Basis-independent coherence of spin-pairs and its distribution (collective and localized coherence) are studied in spin chains with three-site interaction. Firstly, we demonstrate that three kinds of coherence can correctly characterize the first-order quantum phase transition (QPT) induced by the anisotropy parameter, and the second-order QPT induced by the magnetic field and three-site interaction by their critical behaviors. Secondly, The triangle inequality between the basis-independent coherence and its distribution is verified, and the trade-off relations between the collective and localized coherence are captured by regulating the magnetic field. Lastly, we find that the collective coherence mainly contain the contributions from the classical and quantum correlations by virtue of the anisotropy parameter.

Quantum phase transition and quench dynamics in the two-mode Rabi model

The second-order quantum phase transition and quench dynamics in the two-mode Rabi model are investigated. We propose a diagonalization approach of jointly using a beam-splitter operator and a squeezed operator for each effective low-energy Hamiltonian when the ratio of the qubit transition frequency to the oscillator frequency approximates infinity. Eigenenergy and eigenstate of the normal and superradiant phases in the system are analytically derived, demonstrating the second-order quantum phase transition at a critical point. This critical point means that the requirement of coupling strength between the qubit and two oscillators is largely loosened by joint effect of two modes when compared with the standard Rabi model. The universal scaling between residual energy and quench time from ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{3}}$ to ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ is confirmed.

High-order series expansion of non-Hermitian quantum spin models

We investigate the low-energy physics of non-Hermitian quantum spin models with $PT$-symmetry. To this end we consider the one-dimensional Ising chain and the two-dimensional toric code in a non-Hermitian staggered field. For both systems dual descriptions in terms of non-Hermitian staggered Ising interactions in a conventional transverse field exist. We perform high-order series expansions about the high- and low-field limit for both systems to determine the ground-state energy per site and the one-particle gap. The one-dimensional non-Hermitian Ising chain is known to be exactly solvable. Its ground-state phase diagram consists of second-order quantum phase transitions, which can be characterized by logarithmic singularities of the second derivative of the ground-state energy and, in the symmetry-broken phase, the gap closing of the low-field gap. In contrast, the gap closing from the high-field phase is not accessible perturbatively due to the complex energy and the occurrence of exceptional lines in the high-field gap expression. For the two-dimensional toric code in a non-Hermitian staggered field we study the quantum robustness of the topologically ordered phase by the gap closing of the low-field gap. We find that the well-known second-order quantum phase transition of the toric code in a uniform field extends into a large portion of the non-Hermitian parameter space. However, the series expansions become unreliable for a dominant anti-Hermitian field. Interestingly, the analysis of the high-field gap reveals the potential presence of an intermediate region.

Quantum-classical correspondence of a system of interacting bosons in a triple-well potential

We study the quantum-classical correspondence of an experimentally accessible system of interacting bosons in a tilted triple-well potential. With the semiclassical analysis, we get a better understanding of the different phases of the quantum system and how they could be used for quantum information science. In the integrable limits, our analysis of the stationary points of the semiclassical Hamiltonian reveals critical points associated with second-order quantum phase transitions. In the nonintegrable domain, the system exhibits crossovers. Depending on the parameters and quantities, the quantum-classical correspondence holds for very few bosons. In some parameter regions, the ground state is robust (highly sensitive) to changes in the interaction strength (tilt amplitude), which may be of use for quantum information protocols (quantum sensing).

Global quantum discord in the Lipkin–Meshkov–Glick model at zero and finite temperatures

We study the global quantum discord (GQD) in the Lipkin–Meshkov–Glick (LMG) model at zero and finite temperatures, in which all spins are mutually interacted and introduced in an external magnetic field (denoted by h). We confirm that the high coordinate number is one of the most distinguishing features of the LMG model, which directly results in the nontrivial behaviors of quantum correlations. We compare the GQD with other quantum correlations measures (such as concurrence, quantum discord, and global entanglement) and find the remarkable difference between them. For instance, we find that GQD spreads in the entire system and captures more information on quantum correlations when comparing with concurrence and quantum (pairwise) discord. We discover that GQD can characterize multipartite correlations in the both broken phase (h < 1) and the symmetric phase (h ⩾ 1), while global entanglement and its generalized fail. Moreover, we show that the ground-state GQD can identify second-order quantum phase transitions of the LMG model in the thermodynamic limit. By making the scaling behavior of the GQD in the LMG model analysis, we show that GQD (denoted by ) scales as with k > 0 in the anisotropic cases for any fixed magnetic field. We further show that GQD behaves as with k < 0 in the isotropic cases for any Dicke state |s n ⟩. Herein k and c are the fitting parameters. We also find that the thermal stability of the GQD at low temperatures depends on the energy gap. We further reveal that the extraordinary behaviors of the thermal-state GQD in the isotropic LMG model are explained by the contribution theory of the energy levels.

Quantum phase transition and resurgence: Lessons from three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric quantum electrodynamics

Abstract We study a resurgence structure of a quantum field theory with a phase transition to uncover relations between resurgence and phase transitions. In particular, we focus on three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric quantum electrodynamics (SQED) with multiple hypermultiplets, where a second-order quantum phase transition has recently been proposed in the large-flavor limit. We provide interpretations of the phase transition from the viewpoints of Lefschetz thimbles and resurgence. For this purpose, we study the Lefschetz thimble structure and properties of the large-flavor expansion for the partition function obtained by the supersymmetric localization. We show that the second-order phase transition is understood as a phenomenon where a Stokes and an anti-Stokes phenomenon occur simultaneously. The order of the phase transition is determined by how saddles collide at the critical point. In addition, the phase transition accompanies an infinite number of Stokes phenomena due to the supersymmetry. These features are appropriately mapped to the Borel plane structures as the resurgence theory expects. Given the lessons from SQED, we provide a more general discussion on the relationship between the resurgence and phase transitions. In particular, we show how the information on the phase transition is decoded from the Borel resummation technique.

Quantum tricritical behavior and multistable macroscopic quantum states in generalized Dicke model

In this article, we obtain the multistable macroscopic quantum states and quantum tricritical behavior in generalized Dicke model (DM) analytically by means of spin-coherent-state (SCS) variational method for a finite atom number N. The quantum phase transition (QPT) is characterized by the ground state from the normal phase (NP) to the superradiant phases (SP). The second-order QPT turns to the first-order one at the tricritical point of phase boundary. The tricritical behavior of QPT emerges when the coupling strength of the symmetry breaking mechanism increases to a certain extent, which leads to an additional dimension of phase diagram. Beyond the ground state the symmetry-breaking coupling can manipulate the pseudospin flip of higher-level macroscopic states. The critical property of QPT is also demonstrated from the average photon-number, the atomic population as well as Berry phase.

Quantum criticality and correlations in the Ising-Gamma chain

In this paper, we study quantum phase transitions (QPTs) and critical phenomena of the one-dimensional Ising-Gamma model, which describes the competition between the Ising interactions and the off-diagonal Gamma exchange interactions. The Hamiltonian is analytically solved in virtue of Jordan–Wigner, Fourier and Bogoliubov transformations. The phase diagram consists of three phases, including antiferromagnetic phase, paramagnetic phase and gapless spiral phase. A detailed study of information measures including the Wigner–Yanase skew information (WYSI) and quantum fidelity susceptibility (QFS) is conducted. The second-order QPTs are witnessed both by WYSI and QFS. When the QPT occurs between distinct gapped phases, a logarithmic scaling behavior of local measures and a superextensive behavior of fidelity susceptibility are identified, while they exhibit size-dependent behaviors for the gapped-to-gapless transitions. The correlation-length exponent extracted from various order parameters agrees well with each other.