In thermal equilibrium the dynamics of phase transitions is largely controlled by fluctuation-dissipation relations: On the one hand, friction suppresses fluctuations, while on the other hand, the thermal noise is proportional to friction constants. Out of equilibrium, this balance dissolves and one can have situations where friction vanishes due to antidamping in the presence of a finite noise level. We study a wide class of O ( N ) field theories where this situation is realized at a phase transition, which we identify as a critical exceptional point. In the ordered phase, antidamping induces a continuous limit cycle rotation of the order parameter with an enhanced number of 2 N − 3 Goldstone modes. Close to the critical exceptional point, however, fluctuations diverge so strongly due to the suppression of friction that in dimensions d < 4 they universally either destroy a preexisting static order or give rise to a fluctuation-induced first-order transition. This is demonstrated within a full resummation of loop corrections via Dyson-Schwinger equations for N = 2 , and a generalization for arbitrary N , which can be solved in the long wavelength limit. We show that in order to realize this physics it is not necessary to drive a system far out of equilibrium: Using the peculiar protection of Goldstone modes, the transition from an x y magnet to a ferrimagnet is governed by an exceptional critical point once weakly perturbed away from thermal equilibrium. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
In thermal equilibrium the dynamics of phase transitions is largely controlled by fluctuation-dissipation relations: On the one hand, friction suppresses fluctuations, while on the other hand, the thermal noise is proportional to friction constants. Out of equilibrium, this balance dissolves and one can have situations where friction vanishes due to antidamping in the presence of a finite noise level. We study a wide class of O ( N ) field theories where this situation is realized at a phase transition, which we identify as a critical exceptional point. In the ordered phase, antidamping induces a continuous limit cycle rotation of the order parameter with an enhanced number of 2 N − 3 Goldstone modes. Close to the critical exceptional point, however, fluctuations diverge so strongly due to the suppression of friction that in dimensions d < 4 they universally either destroy a preexisting static order or give rise to a fluctuation-induced first-order transition. This is demonstrated within a full resummation of loop corrections via Dyson-Schwinger equations for N = 2 , and a generalization for arbitrary N , which can be solved in the long wavelength limit. We show that in order to realize this physics it is not necessary to drive a system far out of equilibrium: Using the peculiar protection of Goldstone modes, the transition from an x y magnet to a ferrimagnet is governed by an exceptional critical point once weakly perturbed away from thermal equilibrium. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Real-time dynamics of strongly correlated systems, in particular its critical dynamics near phase transitions, have been always on the cutting edge of studies in diverse fields of physics, e.g., high energy physics, condensed matter, holography, etc. In this work, we investigate the critical damping of collective modes associated with spontaneous breaking of approximate symmetries, which are called pseudo-Goldstone modes, in strongly correlated systems. Using the Schwinger-Keldysh field theory, we find a universal pseudo-Goldstone damping via the critical O(N) model that has never been found before by other approaches. Different from the conventional damping found in holography and hydrodynamics, the new one is controlled by critical fluctuations, hence is invisible in mean-field systems or strongly correlated systems with classical gravity duals. Since the critical damping depends solely on the universalities of the critical point, irrespective of the microscopic details, our conclusion should be applicable to a wide class of interacting systems. Strongly correlated systems exhibit universal dynamics near phase transitions, from particle to condensed matter physics. However, despite the successes of various theoretical approaches, systematic treatments of fluctuations are scarce. Here the authors unveil a universal damping of pseudo-Goldstone modes in systems with approximate symmetries, advancing our understanding of near-critical dynamics in several contexts.
Nonequilibrium dynamics play an important role in all contexts of physics, both classical and quantum as well as living and nonliving, so it is crucial to develop a foundational understanding of nonequilibrium phase transitions. In this work we investigate an important class of nonequilibrium dynamics in the form of nonreciprocal interactions. In particular we study how nonreciprocal coupling between two O(n_{i}) order parameters (with i=1,2) affects the universality at a multicritical point, extending the analysis of J. T. Young et al. [Phys. Rev. X 10, 011039 (2020)2160-330810.1103/PhysRevX.10.011039], which considered the case n_{1}=n_{2}=1, i.e., a Z_{2}×Z_{2} model. We show that nonequilibrium fixed points (NEFPs) emerge for a broad range of n_{1},n_{2} and exhibit intrinsically nonequilibrium critical phenomena, namely a violation of fluctuation-dissipation relations at all scales and underdamped oscillations near criticality in contrast to the overdamped relaxational dynamics of the corresponding equilibrium models. Furthermore, the NEFPs exhibit an emergent discrete scale invariance in certain physically relevant regimes of n_{1},n_{2}, but not others, depending on whether the critical exponent ν is real or complex. The boundary between these two regions is described by an exceptional point in the renormalization group (RG) flow, leading to distinctive features in correlation functions and the phase diagram. Another contrast with the previous work is the number and stability of the NEFPs as well as the underlying topology of the RG flow. Finally, we investigate an extreme form of nonreciprocity where one order parameter is independent of the other order parameter but not vice versa. Unlike the Z_{2}×Z_{2} model, which becomes nonperturbative in this case, we identify a distinct nonequilibrium universality class whose dependent field similarly violates fluctuation-dissipation relations but does not exhibit discrete scale invariance or underdamped oscillations near criticality.
Nonequilibrium universality of the nonreciprocally coupled O(n1)×O(n2) model
In this work, we investigate an important class of nonequilibrium dynamics in the form of nonreciprocal interactions. In particular, we study how nonreciprocal coupling between two O(ni) order parameters (with i=1,2) affects the universality at a multicritical point, extending the analysis of [J.T. Young et al., Phys. Rev. X 10, 011039 (2020)], which considered the case n1=n2=1, i.e., a Z2×Z2 model. We show that nonequilibrium fixed points (NEFPs) emerge for a broad range of n1,n2 and exhibit intrinsically nonequilibrium critical phenomena, namely a violation of fluctuation-dissipation relations at all scales and underdamped oscillations near criticality in contrast to the overdamped relaxational dynamics of the corresponding equilibrium models. Furthermore, the NEFPs exhibit an emergent discrete scale invariance in certain physically-relevant regimes of n1,n2, but not others, depending on whether the critical exponent ν is real or complex. The boundary between these two regions is described by an exceptional point in the renormalization group (RG) flow, leading to distinctive features in correlation functions and the phase diagram. Another contrast with the previous work is the number and stability of the NEFPs as well as the underlying topology of the RG flow. Finally, we investigate an extreme form of nonreciprocity where one order parameter is independent of the other order parameter but not vice versa. Unlike the Z2×Z2 model, which becomes non-perturbative in this case, we identify a distinct nonequilibrium universality class whose dependent field similarly violates fluctuation-dissipation relations but does not exhibit discrete scale invariance or underdamped oscillations near criticality.
Phase transitions in non-equilibrium steady states of O(n)-symmetric models with reversible mode couplings are studied using dynamic field theory and the renormalization group. The systems are driven out of equilibrium by dynamical anisotropy in the noise for the conserved quantities, i.e., by constraining their diffusive dynamics to be at different temperatures T^\par and T^\perp in d_\par- and d_\perp-dimensional subspaces, respectively. In the case of the Sasv'ari-Schwabl-Sz'epfalusy (SSS) model for planar ferro- and isotropic antiferromagnets, we assume a dynamical anisotropy in the noise for the non-critical conserved quantities that are dynamically coupled to the non-conserved order parameter. We find the equilibrium fixed point (with isotropic noise) to be stable with respect to these non-equilibrium perturbations, and the familiar equilibrium exponents therefore describe the asymptotic static and dynamic critical behavior. Novel critical features are only found in extreme limits, where the ratio of the effective noise temperatures T^\par/T^\perp is either zero or infinite. On the other hand, for model J for isotropic ferromagnets with a conserved order parameter, the dynamical noise anisotropy induces effective long-range elastic forces, which lead to a softening only of the d_\perp-dimensional sector in wavevector space with lower noise temperature T^\perp < T^\par. The ensuing static and dynamic critical behavior is described by power laws of a hitherto unidentified universality class, which, however, is not accessible by perturbational means for d_\par \geq 1. We obtain formal expressions for the novel critical exponents in a double expansion about the static and dynamic upper critical dimensions and d_\par, i.e., about the equilibrium theory.
In this talk/paper I discuss the concept of universality in phase transitions and the question of whether universality classes are more robust in equilibrium than away from it. In both of these situations, the main ingredients determining universality are symmetries, conservation laws, the dimension of the space and of the order‐parameter and the presence of long‐range interactions or quenched disorder. The existence of detailed‐balance and fluctuation‐dissipation theorems imposes severe constraints on equilibrium systems, allowing to define universality classes in a very robust way; instead, non‐equilibrium allows for more variability. Still, quite robust non‐equilibrium universality classes have been identified in the last decades. Here, I discuss some examples in which (i) non‐equilibrium phase transitions are simply controlled by equilibrium critical points, i.e. non‐equilibrium ingredients turn out to be irrelevant in the renormalization group sense and (ii) non‐equilibrium situations in which equilibrium seems to come out of the blue, generating an adequate effective description of intrinsically non‐equilibrium problems. Afterwards, I shall describe different genuinely non‐equilibrium phase transitions in which introducing small, apparently innocuous changes (namely: presence or absence of an underlying lattice, parity conservation in the overall number of particles, existence of an un‐accessible vacuum state, deterministic versus stochastic microscopic rules, presence or absence of a Fermionic constraint), the critical behavior is altered, making the case for lack of robustness. However, it will be argued that in all these examples, there is an underlying good reason (in terms of general principles) for universality to be altered. The final conclusions are that: (i) robust universality classes exist both in equilibrium and non‐equilibrium; (ii) symmetry and conservation principles are crucial in both, (iii) non‐equilibrium allows for more variability (i.e. it is less constrained).
In this talk/paper I discuss the concept of universality in phase transitions and the question of whether universality classes are more robust in equilibrium than away from it. In both of these situations, the main ingredients determining universality are symmetries, conservation laws, the dimension of the space and of the order‐parameter and the presence of long‐range interactions or quenched disorder. The existence of detailed‐balance and fluctuation‐dissipation theorems imposes severe constraints on equilibrium systems, allowing to define universality classes in a very robust way; instead, non‐equilibrium allows for more variability. Still, quite robust non‐equilibrium universality classes have been identified in the last decades. Here, I discuss some examples in which (i) non‐equilibrium phase transitions are simply controlled by equilibrium critical points, i.e. non‐equilibrium ingredients turn out to be irrelevant in the renormalization group sense and (ii) non‐equilibrium situations in which equilibrium seems to come out of the blue, generating an adequate effective description of intrinsically non‐equilibrium problems. Afterwards, I shall describe different genuinely non‐equilibrium phase transitions in which introducing small, apparently innocuous changes (namely: presence or absence of an underlying lattice, parity conservation in the overall number of particles, existence of an un‐accessible vacuum state, deterministic versus stochastic microscopic rules, presence or absence of a Fermionic constraint), the critical behavior is altered, making the case for lack of robustness. However, it will be argued that in all these examples, there is an underlying good reason (in terms of general principles) for universality to be altered. The final conclusions are that: (i) robust universality classes exist both in equilibrium and non‐equilibrium; (ii) symmetry and conservation principles are crucial in both, (iii) non‐equilibrium allows for more variability (i.e. it is less constrained).