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Published on: March 30, 2017
Fractionalized Prethermalization in a Driven Quantum Spin Liquid
Hui-Ke Jin1, Johannes Knolle1,2,3, Michael Knap1,2
1Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Natural Sciences, Physics Department, 85748 Garching, Germany.
Quantum spin liquids exhibit unique heating when driven, showing a two-step process called fractionalized prethermalization. This behavior arises from fractionalization and can be observed in quantum platforms.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Information Science
Background:
- Quantum spin liquids possess exotic fractionalized quasiparticles.
- Periodic driving of quantum systems can lead to complex nonequilibrium dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the nonequilibrium heating behavior of a driven Kitaev honeycomb model.
- Examine the dynamics of emergent Majorana matter and Z2 flux excitations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a driven Kitaev honeycomb model.
- Study of emergent Majorana and Z2 flux excitation dynamics.
Main Results:
- Discovery of a two-step heating profile termed fractionalized prethermalization.
- Observation of a quasistationary state with distinct matter and flux sector temperatures.
- Attribution of prethermalization behavior to fractionalization.
Conclusions:
- Fractionalization is key to the observed prethermalization in driven quantum spin liquids.
- An experimental protocol is proposed for observing fractionalized prethermalization in quantum platforms.
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