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Observation of Many-Body Quantum Phase Transitions beyond the Kibble-Zurek Mechanism.
Qi Huang1, Ruixiao Yao2, Libo Liang1
1School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
Physical Review Letters
|December 3, 2021
Summary
Researchers studied quantum phase transitions in superfluid to Mott insulators. They found competing quantum critical mechanisms, challenging the universal Kibble-Zurek scaling law in inhomogeneous systems.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Many-Body Systems
Background:
- Quantum phase transitions (QPTs) are critical phenomena occurring at absolute zero temperature.
- Understanding QPTs in many-body systems is a central challenge in quantum physics.
- The Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM) describes universal scaling laws for QPTs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate quantum critical behavior during the superfluid to Mott insulator transition.
- To explore QPTs in both dynamical steady-state-relaxation and phase-oscillation regimes.
- To identify deviations from universal scaling laws in inhomogeneous systems.
Main Methods:
- Improved band-mapping technique for analyzing QPTs.
- Observation of critical behaviors across different dynamical regions.
- Measurement of various observables to probe quantum criticality.
Main Results:
- Observed distinct quantum critical behaviors in dynamical steady-state-relaxation and phase-oscillation regions.
- Identified two different values for the same quantum critical parameter.
- Demonstrated that results deviate from the universal KZM predictions.
Conclusions:
- The study reveals complexities beyond the standard KZM in many-body QPTs.
- Evidence suggests competing quantum critical mechanisms in inhomogeneous systems.
- Findings necessitate revised theoretical frameworks for understanding inhomogeneous QPTs.
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