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Criticality in transport through the quantum Ising chain
Malte Vogl1, Gernot Schaller, Tobias Brandes
1Institut für Theoretische Physik, Technische Universität Berlin, Hardenbergstrasse 36, 10623 Berlin, Germany. malte.vogl@tu-berlin.de
Physical Review Letters
|February 2, 2013
Summary
This study models thermal transport in quantum-critical systems using a quantum Ising chain. Signatures of quantum phase transitions appear in energy currents even at different reservoir temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Many-Body Systems
- Non-equilibrium Physics
Background:
- Quantum-critical systems exhibit unique many-body phenomena.
- Understanding non-equilibrium physics is crucial for quantum technologies.
- Thermal transport provides insights into system dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model thermal transport in quantum-critical systems.
- To investigate non-equilibrium physics using a quantum Ising chain.
- To identify signatures of quantum phase transitions in energy currents.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a quantum Ising chain coupled to two reservoirs.
- Deriving rate equations from exact quasiparticle pair generation expressions.
- Analyzing steady-state energy current.
Main Results:
- Observed signatures of quantum phase transitions in the energy current.
- Demonstrated that these signatures persist at finite and different reservoir temperatures.
- Established a connection between thermal transport and quantum criticality.
Conclusions:
- Thermal transport measurements can detect quantum phase transitions.
- The quantum Ising chain serves as a valid model for non-equilibrium quantum phenomena.
- The findings have implications for understanding and controlling quantum systems.
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