Open quantum systems far from thermal equilibrium can exhibit remarkable physical phenomena including topological properties without a direct equilibrium counterpart. Along these lines, in periodically driven-dissipative systems within the effective non-Hermitian (NH) Hamiltonian approximation spectral winding numbers have been linked to intriguing nonreciprocal transport properties. Here, going beyond an NH Hamiltonian description, we introduce and study a microscopic lattice model of a driven open quantum system described by a Markovian quantum master equation, which exhibits the mentioned spectral winding within an NH approximation. By encompassing quantum jump processes in the topological analysis, we uncover a distinct \emph{jump-induced} topological phase, which qualitatively corresponds to the richer nonreciprocal transport properties of the fully quantum model. In addition, we find that the NH skin effect, i.e., the accumulation of a macroscopic number of eigenstates at one end of the system, is already visible in the transient dynamics even for systems with periodic boundary conditions. Our results exemplify the subtle correspondence between NH topological properties and physical manifestations of Liouvillian topological properties in open quantum systems, thus providing a theoretical framework towards understanding unidirectional transport in quantum dissipative Floquet dynamics.
Open quantum systems far from thermal equilibrium can exhibit remarkable physical phenomena including topological properties without a direct equilibrium counterpart. Along these lines, in periodically driven-dissipative systems within the effective non-Hermitian (NH) Hamiltonian approximation spectral winding numbers have been linked to intriguing nonreciprocal transport properties. Here, going beyond an NH Hamiltonian description, we introduce and study a microscopic lattice model of a driven open quantum system described by a Markovian quantum master equation, which exhibits the mentioned spectral winding within an NH approximation. By encompassing quantum jump processes in the topological analysis, we uncover a distinct \emph{jump-induced} topological phase, which qualitatively corresponds to the richer nonreciprocal transport properties of the fully quantum model. In addition, we find that the NH skin effect, i.e., the accumulation of a macroscopic number of eigenstates at one end of the system, is already visible in the transient dynamics even for systems with periodic boundary conditions. Our results exemplify the subtle correspondence between NH topological properties and physical manifestations of Liouvillian topological properties in open quantum systems, thus providing a theoretical framework towards understanding unidirectional transport in quantum dissipative Floquet dynamics.
The non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE), characterized by the collapse of bulk-band eigenstates into the localized boundary modes of the systems, is one of most striking properties in the field of non-Hermitian physics. Unique physical phenomena related to the NHSE have attracted a great deal of interest; however, their experimental realization usually requires nonreciprocal hopping, which faces a great challenge in ultracold-atom systems. In this work we propose the realization of the NHSE in a one-dimensional optical lattice by periodically driven ultracold atoms in the presence of staggered atomic loss. By studying the effective Floquet Hamiltonian in the high-frequency approximation, we reveal the underlying mechanism for the periodic-driving-induced NHSE. We find that the robust NHSE can be tuned by the driving phase, which is manifested by the dynamical localization. Most remarkably, we uncover the periodic-driving-induced critical skin effect for two coupled chains with different driving phases, accompanied by the appearance of size-dependent topological in-gap modes. Our study provides a feasible way to observe the NHSE and explore the corresponding unique physical phenomena due to the interplay of non-Hermiticity and many-body statistics in ultracold-atom systems.
The non-Hermitian skin effect (NHSE), featured by the collapse of bulk-band eigenstates into the localized boundary modes of the systems, is one of most striking properties in the fields of non-Hermitian physics. Unique physical phenomena related to the NHSE have attracted a lot of interest, however, their experimental realizations usually require nonreciprocal hopping, which faces a great challenge in ultracold-atom systems. In this work, we propose to realize the NHSE in a 1D optical lattice by periodically-driven ultracold atoms in the presence of staggered atomic loss. By studying the effective Floquet Hamiltonian in the high-frequency approximation, we reveal the underlying mechanism for the periodic-driving-induced the NHSE. We found that the robust NHSE can be tuned by driving phase, which is manifested by the dynamical localization. Most remarkably, we uncover the periodic-driving-induced critical skin effect for two coupled chains with different driving phases, accompanied by the appearance of size-dependent topological in-gap modes. Our studies provide a feasible way for observing the NHSE and exploring corresponding unique physical phenomena due to the interplay of non-Hermiticity and many-body statistics in ultracold-atom systems.
One of the unique features of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians is the non-Hermitian skin effect, namely, that the eigenstates are exponentially localized at the boundary of the system. For open quantum systems, a short-time evolution can often be well described by the effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, while long-time dynamics calls for the Lindblad master equations, in which the Liouvillian superoperators generate time evolution. In this Letter, we find that Liouvillian superoperators can exhibit the non-Hermitian skin effect, and uncover its unexpected physical consequences. It is shown that the non-Hermitian skin effect dramatically shapes the long-time dynamics, such that the damping in a class of open quantum systems is algebraic under periodic boundary conditions but exponential under open boundary conditions. Moreover, the non-Hermitian skin effect and non-Bloch bands cause a chiral damping with a sharp wave front. These phenomena are beyond the effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonians; instead, they belong to the non-Hermitian physics of full-fledged open quantum dynamics.
We establish a direct connection between Hamiltonian band topology and the Liouvillian spectral winding of open quantum systems with quadratic dissipations. This allows the band topology to act as a knob for controlling Liouvillian topology and corresponding non-equilibrium dynamics. In particular, we show analytically that, for chiral Hamiltonians under sublattice-unidirectional chiral dissipation, the Liouvillian spectral winding depends on the Hamiltonian solely through its band winding number, thereby enabling direct band-topological control of the Liouvillian skin effect. We further identify two distinguished coherent and incoherent Liouvillian skin effects therein: the former hosts a band-topological dark state of the Hamiltonian, whereas the latter yields a mixed steady state driven by dissipative nonreciprocity. Our results establish a systematic framework for topological control of spectral and spatial organization in open quantum systems and provide a unified perspective on topology in Hamiltonian and dissipative dynamics.
The non-Hermitian skin effect, i.e., eigenstate condensation at the edges in lattices with open boundaries, is an exotic manifestation of non-Hermitian systems. In Bloch theory, an effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian is generally used to describe dissipation, which, however, is not norm preserving and neglects quantum jumps. Here it is shown that in a self-consistent description of the dissipative dynamics in a one-band lattice, based on the stochastic Schr\"odinger equation or Lindblad master equation with a collective jump operator, the skin effect and its dynamical features are washed out. Nevertheless, both short- and long-time relaxation dynamics provide a hidden signature of the skin effect found in the semiclassical limit. In particular, relaxation toward a maximally mixed state with the largest von Neumann entropy in a lattice with open boundaries is a manifestation of the semiclassical skin effect.
This paper explores topological thermodynamics in driven dissipative quantum materials, a field at the intersection of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, quantum topology, and condensed matter physics. We review theoretical frameworks and experimental advancements, highlighting how driving forces and dissipative processes influence the formation, stability, and characterization of topological phases. A special focus is placed on Floquet engineering for open quantum systems, where periodic driving and environmental coupling lead to novel non-equilibrium steady states with exotic topological properties. We discuss challenges in defining thermodynamic quantities like temperature and entropy in these far-from-equilibrium settings and examine how topological invariants manifest in dissipative dynamics and transport. The paper uniquely synthesizes advancements in periodically driven, open quantum systems by critically examining how dissipation, often seen as detrimental, can be precisely engineered to reveal or even stabilize topological order. This offers a distinct perspective on designing next-generation quantum technologies. Key theoretical tools, including generalized Floquet theory, Keldysh formalism, and non-Hermitian descriptions, are discussed alongside experimental platforms like photonic quantum gases and cold atomic systems.