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Remnant Geometric Hall Response in a Quantum Quench
Justin H Wilson1, Justin C W Song1,2, Gil Refael1,2
1Institute of Quantum Information and Matter and Department of Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
Physical Review Letters
|December 17, 2016
Summary
Out-of-equilibrium quantum systems can show a Hall-type current even with time-reversal symmetry. This remnant Hall response stems from quantum geometry and persists long-term, acting as a diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Dynamics
Background:
- Out-of-equilibrium systems exhibit unique phenomena not bound by equilibrium constraints.
- Hall currents typically require broken time-reversal symmetry in equilibrium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emergence of Hall-type currents in out-of-equilibrium quantum systems.
- To explore the role of quantum geometry and symmetry breaking in these phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of out-of-equilibrium states via quantum quench in a two-band system.
- Analysis of coherent wave function dynamics and quantum geometry.
- Investigation of two-band Dirac systems and symmetry breaking effects.
Main Results:
- A nonzero Hall-type current (remnant Hall response) is observed even when the instantaneous Hamiltonian is time-reversal symmetric.
- This response originates from the wave function's quantum geometry post-quench.
- Remnant Hall currents are present in two-band Dirac systems when mirror or time-reversal symmetry is broken.
Conclusions:
- Remnant Hall response is a distinct out-of-equilibrium phenomenon driven by quantum geometry.
- Its persistence and sensitivity to symmetry breaking make it a valuable probe for complex quantum dynamics.
- Cold-atomic optical lattice experiments are suitable for realizing and studying these effects.
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