2018/08/23 by T. V. Zache, Torsten V. Zache, N. Mueller +8 · 1 citation
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Combinatorics #Coupling (piping) #Fermion #Gauge theory #Mathematics #Order (exchange) #Physics #Quantum #Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions #Quantum many-body systems #Quantum mechanics #Topological order #Topology (electrical circuits) #Ultracold atom #cond-mat.quant-gas #cond-mat.str-el #hep-ph #nucl-th #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.122.050403
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 122, 050403 (2019) · 6 pages, 3 figures
arxiv created 2018/08/23 · openalex created_date 2018/08/31 · openalex publication_date 2019/02/06 · arxiv updated 2019/02/13 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Aiming at a better understanding of anomalous and topological effects in gauge theories out of equilibrium, we study the real-time dynamics of a prototype model for CP violation, the massive Schwinger model with a θ term. We identify dynamical quantum phase transitions between different topological sectors that appear after sufficiently strong quenches of the θ parameter. Moreover, we establish a general dynamical topological order parameter, which can be accessed through fermion two-point correlators and, importantly, which can be applied for interacting theories. Enabled by this result, we show that the topological transitions persist beyond the weak-coupling regime. Finally, these effects can be observed with tabletop experiments based on existing cold-atom, superconducting-qubit, and trapped-ion technology. Our Letter thus presents a significant step towards quantum simulating topological and anomalous real-time phenomena relevant to nuclear and high-energy physics.