No Arabic abstract
Hopf insulators are exotic topological states of matter outside the standard ten-fold way classification based on discrete symmetries. Its topology is captured by an integer invariant that describes the linking structures of the Hamiltonian in the three-dimensional momentum space. In this paper, we investigate the quantum dynamics of Hopf insulators across a sudden quench and show that the quench dynamics is characterized by a $mathbb{Z}_2$ invariant $ u$ which reveals a rich interplay between quantum quench and static band topology. We construct the $mathbb{Z}_2$ topological invariant using the loop unitary operator, and prove that $ u$ relates the pre- and post-quench Hopf invariants through $ u=(mathcal{L}-mathcal{L}_0)bmod 2$. The $mathbb{Z}_2$ nature of the dynamical invariant is in sharp contrast to the $mathbb{Z}$ invariant for the quench dynamics of Chern insulators in two dimensions. The non-trivial dynamical topology is further attributed to the emergence of $pi$-defects in the phase band of the loop unitary. These $pi$-defects are generally closed curves in the momentum-time space, for example, as nodal rings carrying Hopf charge.
We study the quench dynamics of non-Hermitian topological models with non-Hermitian skin effects. Adopting the non-Bloch band theory and projecting quench dynamics onto the generalized Brillouin zone, we find that emergent topological structures, in the form of dynamic skyrmions, exist in the generalized momentum-time domain, and are correlated with the non-Bloch topological invariants of the static Hamiltonians. The skyrmion structures anchor on the fixed points of dynamics whose existence are conditional on the coincidence of generalized Brillouin zones of the pre- and post-quench Hamiltonians. Global signatures of dynamic skyrmions, however, persist well beyond such a condition, thus offering a general dynamic detection scheme for non-Bloch topology in the presence of non-Hermitian skin effects. Applying our theory to an experimentally relevant, non-unitary quantum walk, we explicitly demonstrate how the non-Bloch topological invariants can be revealed through the non-Bloch quench dynamics.
We propose a simple scheme for tomography of band-insulating states in one- and two-dimensional optical lattices with two sublattice states. In particular, the scheme maps out the Berry curvature in the entire Brillouin zone and extracts topological invariants such as the Chern number. The measurement relies on observing---via time-of-flight imaging---the time evolution of the momentum distribution following a sudden quench in the band structure. We consider two examples of experimental relevance: the Harper model with $pi$-flux and the Haldane model on a honeycomb lattice. Moreover, we illustrate the performance of the scheme in the presence of a parabolic trap, noise, and finite measurement resolution.
We study the collisionless dynamics of two classes of nonintegrable pairing models. One is a BCS model with separable energy-dependent interactions, the other - a 2D topological superconductor with spin-orbit coupling and a band-splitting external field. The long-time quantum quench dynamics at integrable points of these models are well understood. Namely, the squared magnitude of the time-dependent order parameter $Delta(t)$ can either vanish (Phase I), reach a nonzero constant (Phase II), or periodically oscillate as an elliptic function (Phase III). We demonstrate that nonintegrable models too exhibit some or all of these nonequilibrium phases. Remarkably, elliptic periodic oscillations persist, even though both their amplitude and functional form change drastically with integrability breaking. Striking new phenomena accompany loss of integrability. First, an extremely long time scale emerges in the relaxation to Phase III, such that short-time numerical simulations risk erroneously classifying the asymptotic state. This time scale diverges near integrable points. Second, an entirely new Phase IV of quasiperiodic oscillations of $|Delta|$ emerges in the quantum quench phase diagrams of nonintegrable pairing models. As integrability techniques do not apply for the models we study, we develop the concept of asymptotic self-consistency and a linear stability analysis of the asymptotic phases. With the help of these new tools, we determine the phase boundaries, characterize the asymptotic state, and clarify the physical meaning of the quantum quench phase diagrams of BCS superconductors. We also propose an explanation of these diagrams in terms of bifurcation theory.
Non-Hermitian quantum many-body systems are a fascinating subject to be explored. Using the generalized density matrix renormalisation group method and complementary exact diagonalization, we elucidate the many-body ground states and dynamics of a 1D interacting non-Hermitian Aubry-Andre-Harper model for bosons. We find stable ground states in the superfluid and Mott insulating regimes under wide range of conditions in this model. We reveal a skin superfluid state induced by the non-Hermiticity from the nonreciprocal hopping. We investigate the topology of the Mott insulating phase and find its independence of the non-Hermiticity. The topological Mott insulators in this non-Hermitian system are characterized by four equal Chern numbers and a quantized shift of biorthogonal many-body polarizations. Furthermore, we show generic asymmetric expansion and correlation dynamics in the system.
Recently, quantum simulation of low-dimensional lattice gauge theories (LGTs) has attracted many interests, which may improve our understanding of strongly correlated quantum many-body systems. Here, we propose an implementation to approximate $mathbb{Z}_2$ LGT on superconducting quantum circuits, where the effective theory is a mixture of a LGT and a gauge-broken term. Using matrix product state based methods, both the ground state properties and quench dynamics are systematically investigated. With an increase of the transverse (electric) field, the system displays a quantum phase transition from a disordered phase to a translational symmetry breaking phase. In the ordered phase, an approximate Gauss law of the $mathbb{Z}_2$ LGT emerges in the ground state. Moreover, to shed light on the experiments, we also study the quench dynamics, where there is a dynamical signature of the spontaneous translational symmetry breaking. The spreading of the single particle of matter degree is diffusive under the weak transverse field, while it is ballistic with small velocity for the strong field. Furthermore, due to the emergent Gauss law under the strong transverse field, the matter degree can also exhibit a confinement which leads to a strong suppression of the nearest-neighbor hopping. Our results pave the way for simulating the LGT on superconducting circuits, including the quantum phase transition and quench dynamics.