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arXiv:2111.04378 · Physical Review A

Non-Hermitian dynamics and PT -symmetry breaking in interacting mesoscopic Rydberg platforms

José A. S. Lourenço, Gerard T. Higgins, Chi Zhang, Markus Hennrich, Tommaso Macrì

Published Aug 11, 2022• 22 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We simulate the dissipative dynamics of a mesoscopic system of long-range interacting particles which can be mapped into non-Hermitian spin models with a $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry. We find rich $\mathcal{PT}$ phase diagrams with $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric and $\mathcal{PT}$-broken phases. The dynamical regimes can be further enriched by modulating tunable parameters of the system. We outline how the $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetries of such systems may be probed by studying their dynamics. We note that systems of Rydberg atoms and systems of Rydberg ions with strong dipolar interactions are particularly well suited for such studies. We present a viable proposal for implementing non-Hermitian physics with $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry in Rydberg systems. We show that for realistic parameters, long-range interactions allow the emergence of new $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric regions, generating new $\mathcal{PT}$ phase transitions. In addition, such $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry phase transitions are found by changing the configurations of the Rydberg atoms. We propose a postselection scheme on an ensemble of Rydberg ions described by an effective three-level system. Detecting the population dynamics, the system shows an oscillatory behavior in the $\mathcal{PT}$-unbroken phase and a stationary population for long times in the $\mathcal{PT}$-broken phase.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.106.023309

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We simulate the dissipative dynamics of a mesoscopic system of long-range interacting particles which can be mapped into non-Hermitian spin models with a PT\mathcal{PT}PT symmetry. We find rich PT\mathcal{PT}PT phase diagrams with PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetric and PT\mathcal{PT}PT-broken phases. The dynamical regimes can be further enriched by modulating tunable parameters of the system. We outline how the PT\mathcal{PT}PT symmetries of such systems may be probed by studying their dynamics. We note that systems of Rydberg atoms and systems of Rydberg ions with strong dipolar interactions are particularly well suited for such studies. We present a viable proposal for implementing non-Hermitian physics with PT\mathcal{PT}PT symmetry in Rydberg systems. We show that for realistic parameters, long-range interactions allow the emergence of new PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetric regions, generating new PT\mathcal{PT}PT phase transitions. In addition, such PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetry phase transitions are found by changing the configurations of the Rydberg atoms. We propose a postselection scheme on an ensemble of Rydberg ions described by an effective three-level system. Detecting the population dynamics, the system shows an oscillatory behavior in the PT\mathcal{PT}PT-unbroken phase and a stationary population for long times in the PT\mathcal{PT}PT-broken phase.
Non-Hermitian quantum mechanics with parity-time (PT) symmetry offers a powerful framework for exploring the complex interplay of dissipation and coherent interactions in open quantum systems. While PT-symmetry breaking has been studied in various physical systems, its observation on a quantum many-body level remains elusive. Here, we experimentally realize a non-Hermitian XY model in a strongly-interacting Rydberg-atom array. By measuring the Loschmidt Echo of a fully polarized state, we observe distinct dynamical signatures of a PT-symmetry-breaking phase transition. Dipole interactions are found to play a crucial role, not only determining the transition point but also triggering a non-Hermitian many-body blockade effect that protects the Loschmidt Echo from decay with a non-monotonic dependence on the system size. Our results reveal intricate interaction-induced effects on PT-symmetry breaking and open the door for exploring non-Hermitian many-body dynamics beyond single-particle and mean-field paradigms.
Non-Hermitian physics exhibits unique physical properties beyond those of traditional Hermitian systems, such as symmetry breaking, the emergence of exceptional points, topological phase transitions, and more. These phenomena have been extensively studied across various platforms, including quantum optics, cold atom systems, superconducting circuits, and condensed matter physics. Rydberg atoms, with their long-range interactions and flexible controllability, provide a promising platform for the experimental realization of non-Hermitian physics. This review primarily summarizes the key experimental and theoretical achievements in the field of non-Hermitian physics within Rydberg atomic systems in recent years. It outlines the fundamental construction of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, reveals the effective dissipation mechanisms induced by Rydberg atomic interactions, and discusses their impact on spectral properties and symmetry breaking. These studies not only deepen the understanding of quantum phase transitions in non-Hermitian many-body systems but also highlight the unique value of Rydberg atomic platforms in realizing and controlling topological states.
Non-Hermitian physics exhibits unique physical properties beyond those of traditional Hermitian systems, such as symmetry breaking, the emergence of exceptional points, topological phase transitions, and more. These phenomena have been extensively studied across various platforms, including quantum optics, cold atom systems, superconducting circuits, and condensed matter physics. Rydberg atoms, with their long-range interactions and flexible controllability, provide a promising platform for the experimental realization of non-Hermitian physics. This review primarily summarizes the key experimental and theoretical achievements in the field of non-Hermitian physics within Rydberg atomic systems in recent years. It outlines the fundamental construction of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, reveals the effective dissipation mechanisms induced by Rydberg atomic interactions, and discusses their impact on spectral properties and symmetry breaking. These studies not only deepen the understanding of quantum phase transitions in non-Hermitian many-body systems but also highlight the unique value of Rydberg atomic platforms in realizing and controlling topological states.
The interplay between strong long-range interactions and the coherent driving contribute to the formation of complex patterns, symmetry, and novel phases of matter in many-body systems. However, long-range interactions may induce an additional dissipation channel, resulting in non-Hermitian many-body dynamics and the emergence of exceptional points in spectrum. Here, we report experimental observation of interaction-induced exceptional points in cold Rydberg atomic gases, revealing the breaking of charge-conjugation parity symmetry. By measuring the transmission spectrum under increasing and decreasing probe intensity, the interaction-induced hysteresis trajectories are observed, which give rise to non-Hermitian dynamics. We record the area enclosed by hysteresis loops and investigate the dynamics of hysteresis loops. The reported exceptional points and hysteresis trajectories in cold Rydberg atomic gases provide valuable insights into the underlying non-Hermitian physics in many-body systems, allowing us to study the interplay between long-range interactions and non-Hermiticity. Long-range interactions in many-body quantum systems may induce dissipation channels described by non-Hermitian dynamics. Here, the authors report the observation of higher-order exceptional points, a hallmark of non-Hermitian physics, in a Rydberg atom gas. This enables design of quantum dynamics around these points, providing insight into phase transitions.
The interplay between strong long-range interactions and the coherent driving contribute to the formation of complex patterns, symmetry, and novel phases of matter in many-body systems. However, long-range interactions may induce an additional dissipation channel, resulting in non-Hermitian many-body dynamics and the emergence of exceptional points in spectrum. Here, we report experimental observation of interaction-induced exceptional points in cold Rydberg atomic gases, revealing the breaking of charge-conjugation parity symmetry. By measuring the transmission spectrum under increasing and decreasing probe intensity, the interaction-induced hysteresis trajectories are observed, which give rise to non-Hermitian dynamics. We record the area enclosed by hysteresis loops and investigate the dynamics of hysteresis loops. The reported exceptional points and hysteresis trajectories in cold Rydberg atomic gases provide valuable insights into the underlying non-Hermitian physics in many-body systems, allowing us to study the interplay between long-range interactions and non-Hermiticity.
It is challenging to probe ergodicity breaking trends of a quantum many-body system when dissipation inevitably damages quantum coherence originated from coherent coupling and dispersive two-body interactions. Rydberg atoms provide a test bed to detect emergent exotic many-body phases and nonergodic dynamics where the strong Rydberg atom interaction competes with and overtakes dissipative effects even at room temperature. Here, we report experimental evidence of a transition from ergodic toward ergodic breaking dynamics in driven-dissipative Rydberg atomic gases. The broken ergodicity is featured by the long-time phase oscillation, which is attributed to the formation of Rydberg excitation clusters in limit cycle phases. The broken symmetry in the limit cycle is a direct manifestation of many-body collective effects, which is verified experimentally by tuning atomic densities. The reported result reveals that Rydberg many-body systems are a promising candidate to probe ergodicity breaking dynamics, such as limit cycles, and enable the benchmark of nonequilibrium phase transition.