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arXiv:2301.05428 · Physical Review Research

Experimental observation of topological quantum criticality

Sonja Barkhofen, Syamsundar De, Jan Sperling, Christine Silberhorn, Alexander Altland, Dmitry Bagrets, Kun Woo Kim, Tobias Micklitz

Published Aug 21, 2024• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We report on a photonic simulator of the critical state forming at the quantum phase transition between topologically distinct Anderson insulator phases. We observe a time-staggered profile in the circular photon polarization, which originates from the interplay of a chiral and sublattice symmetry, and has recently been suggested as a signature for topological Anderson criticality within the setup. We discuss the role of statistical detuning from criticality and show that the controlled breaking of phase coherence removes the signal, revealing its origin in quantum coherence. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

DOI
10.1103/physrevresearch.6.033194

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We report on a photonic simulator of the critical state forming at the quantum phase transition between topologically distinct Anderson insulator phases. We observe a time-staggered profile in the circular photon polarization, which originates from the interplay of a chiral and sublattice symmetry, and has recently been suggested as a signature for topological Anderson criticality within the setup. We discuss the role of statistical detuning from criticality and show that the controlled breaking of phase coherence removes the signal, revealing its origin in quantum coherence. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
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