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Kibble-Zurek Mechanism in Driven Dissipative Systems Crossing a Nonequilibrium Phase Transition.
A Zamora1, G Dagvadorj1,2, P Comaron3,4
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
Physical Review Letters
|September 11, 2020
Summary
The Kibble-Zurek mechanism was confirmed in driven dissipative quantum systems like exciton-polaritons. This universal phenomenon of defect formation extends to systems not conserving energy or particles.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Optics
- Statistical Mechanics
Background:
- The Kibble-Zurek mechanism explains defect formation during phase transitions in critical systems.
- Its applicability to driven dissipative systems, which lack energy conservation, remains an open question.
- Exciton-polaritons in microcavities are a key platform for studying driven dissipative quantum phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically verify the Kibble-Zurek mechanism in driven dissipative quantum systems.
- To investigate the universality of critical dynamics in systems with broken detailed balance.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations of exciton-polariton dynamics in microcavities.
- Analysis of topological defect formation across a driven phase transition.
Main Results:
- Confirmation of the characteristic defect density dependence on the transition speed, as predicted by the Kibble-Zurek mechanism.
- Demonstration of universal critical dynamics in a system that is intrinsically driven and dissipative.
- Evidence that energy and particle non-conservation do not preclude Kibble-Zurek mechanism universality.
Conclusions:
- The Kibble-Zurek mechanism is applicable to driven dissipative quantum systems.
- Universality of critical dynamics extends beyond equilibrium systems to those with broken detailed balance.
- Exciton-polaritons serve as a viable model system for exploring fundamental concepts in quantum critical phenomena.
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