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Quantum Work Statistics across a Critical Point: Full Crossover from Sudden Quench to the Adiabatic Limit
Zhanyu Ma1, Andrew K Mitchell2,3, Eran Sela1
1Tel Aviv University, Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
Physical Review Letters
|October 12, 2025
Summary
Researchers studied quantum work statistics during phase transitions. They found exact scaling functions for the crossover between adiabatic and sudden-quench limits, applicable to quantum impurity systems.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Condensed matter physics
- Statistical mechanics
Background:
- Driving systems across quantum phase transitions at finite rates creates excitations and dissipates entropy via the Kibble-Zurek mechanism.
- While adiabatic and sudden-quench limits are understood, the crossover regime for quantum work statistics remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine exact scaling functions for quantum work statistics across the full crossover from adiabatic to sudden-quench limits.
- To investigate critical quantum impurity problems.
Main Methods:
- Combining linear response theory, conformal field theory, and the numerical renormalization group.
- Obtaining exact scaling functions for work statistics.
Main Results:
- Exact scaling functions for quantum work statistics were derived for the entire crossover regime.
- The study addresses critical quantum impurity models.
Conclusions:
- The derived scaling functions provide a comprehensive understanding of quantum work statistics in the crossover regime.
- Predictions are experimentally testable in charge-multichannel Kondo quantum dot devices.
- Dissipated work relates to the creation of exotic excitations like Majorana fermions or Fibonacci anyons.
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