Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2605.25008

Nonreciprocal Landau-Zener Tunneling in the Presence of Heat-Bath-Induced Colored Noise

Yi Cao, Jie Liu

quant-phSubmitted May 24, 2026• Announced May 26, 2026
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In this work, we investigate the effects of heat-bath-induced colored noise on nonreciprocal Landau-Zener tunneling. We perform numerical calculations of the instantaneous energy levels and find that noise induces stochastic fluctuations in these levels. Beyond such fluctuations, sufficiently large nonreciprocity parameters enable noise to further trigger the emergence of multiple exceptional points. The corresponding tunneling probability is significantly modified by colored noise. On the one hand, colored noise generally enhances the tunneling probability under nonadiabatic sweeping. On the other hand, it can break the reciprocity of Landau-Zener tunneling in the adiabatic limit. In particular, for large nonreciprocity parameters, the adiabatic tunneling probability is insensitive to noise and determined by exceptional points. We plot the phase diagram of tunneling probability as a function of the sweep rate and nonreciprocity parameter, for different amplitudes and correlation times of colored noise. Analytically, we derive the exact expression for the tunneling probability in the absence of noise and an approximate solution in the white-noise limit, employing Weber functions and the Wiener-Hermite expansion method. Some implications of our theory are discussed.

Related papers

Adiabaticity in nonreciprocal Landau-Zener tunneling

Wen-Yuan Wang, Bin Sun, Jie Liu

We investigate the Landau-Zener tunneling (LZT) of a self-interacting two-level system in which the coupling between the levels is nonreciprocal. In such a non-Hermitian system, when the energy bias between two levels is adjusted very slowly, i.e., in the adiabatic limit, we find that a quantum state can still closely follow the eigenstate solution until it encounters the exceptional points (EPs) at which two eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenvectors coalesce. In the absence of the nonlinear self-interaction, we can obtain explicit expressions for the eigenvectors and eigenvalues and analytically derive the adiabatic LZT probability from invariants at EPs. In the presence of the nonlinear interaction, the dynamics of the adiabatic evolutions are explicitly demonstrated with the help of classical trajectories in the plane of the two canonical variables of the corresponding classical Josephson Hamiltonian. We show that the adiabatic tunneling probabilities can be precisely predicted by the classical action at EPs in the weak nonreciprocal regime. In a certain region of strong nonreciprocity, we find that interestingly, the nonlinear interaction effects can be completely suppressed so that the adiabatic tunneling probabilities are identical to their linear counterparts. We also obtain a phase diagram for large ranges of nonreciprocity and nonlinear interaction parameters to explicitly demonstrate where the adiabaticity can break down, i.e., the emergence of the nonzero tunneling probabilities even in adiabatic limit.

arXiv:2201.02934•Physical Review A•Dec 14, 2022•29 citations

Nonlinear Landau-Zener Tunneling with Heat-Bath Colored Noise

Yi Cao, Jie Liu

In this work, we investigate the influence of colored noise originating from a heat bath on nonlinear Landau-Zener (LZ) tunneling. The nonlinearity might arise intrinsically from many-body mean-field atomic self-interactions or Kerr nonlinearities in optical systems. Contrary to the well-established picture of thermally enhanced quantum tunneling within the linear LZ paradigm, ensemble statistics of our numerical simulations demonstrate that nonlinearity can give rise to thermally suppressed LZ tunneling: the tunneling probability of the nonlinear LZ system decreases as the amplitude of the colored noise increases beyond a critical value. Analytically, the Wiener-Hermite expansion facilitates elucidation of the intrinsic mechanism accounting for the nonmonotonic dependence of tunneling probability on noise amplitude. We compare these behaviors with stochastic resonance responses and clarify that the two phenomena stem from distinct physical mechanisms. In addition, we obtain approximate solutions in the weak- and strong-noise limits and discuss the implications of our theory.

quant-pharXiv:2608.15604•Aug 18, 2026•0 citations

Landau-Zener tunneling in a nonlinear three-level system

Guanfang Wang, Difa Ye, Libin Fu +2 more

We present a comprehensive analysis of the Landau-Zener tunneling of a nonlinear three-level system in a linearly sweeping external field. We find the presence of nonzero tunneling probability in the adiabatic limit (i.e., very slowly sweeping field) even for the situation that the nonlinear term is very small and the energy levels keep the same topological structure as that of the linear case. In particular, the tunneling is irregular with showing an unresolved sensitivity on the sweeping rate. For the case of fast-sweeping fields, we derive an analytic expression for the tunneling probability with stationary phase approximation and show that the nonlinearity can dramatically influence the tunneling probability when the nonlinear ``internal field'' resonate with the external field. We also discuss the asymmetry of the tunneling probability induced by the nonlinearity. Physics behind the above phenomena is revealed and possible application of our model to triple-well trapped Bose-Einstein condensate is discussed.

arXiv:cond-mat/0607359•Physical Review A•Sep 27, 2006•80 citations

Fast noise in the Landau-Zener theory

V. L. Pokrovsky, Nikolai A. Sinitsyn

We study the influence of a fast noise on Landau-Zener transitions. We demonstrate that a fast colored noise much weaker than the conventional white noise can produce transitions itself or can change substantially the Landau-Zener transition probabilities. In the limit of fast colored or strong white noise we derive asymptotically exact formulas for transition probabilities and study the time evolution of a spin coupled to the noise and a sweeping magnetic field.

arXiv:cond-mat/0212016•Physical review. B, Condensed matter•Apr 16, 2003•66 citations

Theory of anomalous Landau-Zener tunneling induced by nonlinear coupling

Wen-Yuan Wang, Hong-Juan Meng

We develop a general theory of Landau-Zener (LZ) tunneling in a two-level system with amplitude-dependent, sign-reversible nonlinear coupling, distinguishing it fundamentally from conventional on-site nonlinearity. Through a combination of analytical and phase-space analysis, we show that beyond a critical interaction strength, the nonlinear coupling fundamentally reshapes the adiabatic energy landscape, introducing a topological twisted and knotted structure. This structure leads to a complete breakdown of the standard exponential LZ formula, even in the adiabatic limit. Central to this anomalous behavior is the emergence of a black-hole-like fixed point, which acts as a universal attractor: upon traversing the critical region, all quantum trajectories converge to this fixed point, irreversibly erasing any memory of the initial state. From this fixed-point picture, we derive an exact analytical expression for the adiabatic tunneling probability, revealing a characteristic power-law dependence on both linear and nonlinear coupling strength. Our work establishes a paradigmatic framework for nonlinear-coupling-induced anomalous adiabaticity breaking and offers a universal mechanism for state control in driven quantum and wave systems.

quant-pharXiv:2603.01523•Physical Review A•Mar 3, 2026•0 citations

Effects of colored noise on Landau-Zener transitions: Two- and three-level systems

M. B. Kenmoe, Ho N. Phien, Mikhail N. Kiselev +1 more

We investigate the Landau-Zener transition in two- and three-level systems subject to a classical Gaussian noise. Two complementary limits of the noise being fast and slow compared to characteristic Landau-Zener tunnel times are discussed. The analytical solution of a density matrix (Bloch) equation is given for a long-time asymptotic of transition probability. It is demonstrated that the transition probability induced or assisted by the fast noise can be obtained through a procedure of Bloch's equation averaging with further reducing it to a master equation. In contrast to the case of fast noise, the transition probability for LZ transition induced, or assisted, by the slow classical noise can be obtained by averaging the solution of Bloch's equation over the noise realization. As a result, the transition probability is described by the activation Arrhenius law. The approximate solution of the Bloch's equation at finite times is written in terms of Fresnel's integrals and interpreted in terms of interference pattern. We discuss consequences of a local isomorphism between SU(2) and SO(3) groups and connections between Schr\"odinger and Bloch descriptions of spin dynamics. Based on this isomorphism, we establish the relations between $S=1/2$ and 1 transition probabilities influenced by the noise. A possibility to use the slow noise as a probe for tunnel time is discussed.

arXiv:1211.3597•Physical Review B•Jun 6, 2013•45 citations
In this work, we investigate the effects of heat-bath-induced colored noise on nonreciprocal Landau-Zener tunneling. We perform numerical calculations of the instantaneous energy levels and find that noise induces stochastic fluctuations in these levels. Beyond such fluctuations, sufficiently large nonreciprocity parameters enable noise to further trigger the emergence of multiple exceptional points. The corresponding tunneling probability is significantly modified by colored noise. On the one hand, colored noise generally enhances the tunneling probability under nonadiabatic sweeping. On the other hand, it can break the reciprocity of Landau-Zener tunneling in the adiabatic limit. In particular, for large nonreciprocity parameters, the adiabatic tunneling probability is insensitive to noise and determined by exceptional points. We plot the phase diagram of tunneling probability as a function of the sweep rate and nonreciprocity parameter, for different amplitudes and correlation times of colored noise. Analytically, we derive the exact expression for the tunneling probability in the absence of noise and an approximate solution in the white-noise limit, employing Weber functions and the Wiener-Hermite expansion method. Some implications of our theory are discussed.
We investigate the Landau-Zener tunneling (LZT) of a self-interacting two-level system in which the coupling between the levels is nonreciprocal. In such a non-Hermitian system, when the energy bias between two levels is adjusted very slowly, i.e., in the adiabatic limit, we find that a quantum state can still closely follow the eigenstate solution until it encounters the exceptional points (EPs) at which two eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenvectors coalesce. In the absence of the nonlinear self-interaction, we can obtain explicit expressions for the eigenvectors and eigenvalues and analytically derive the adiabatic LZT probability from invariants at EPs. In the presence of the nonlinear interaction, the dynamics of the adiabatic evolutions are explicitly demonstrated with the help of classical trajectories in the plane of the two canonical variables of the corresponding classical Josephson Hamiltonian. We show that the adiabatic tunneling probabilities can be precisely predicted by the classical action at EPs in the weak nonreciprocal regime. In a certain region of strong nonreciprocity, we find that interestingly, the nonlinear interaction effects can be completely suppressed so that the adiabatic tunneling probabilities are identical to their linear counterparts. We also obtain a phase diagram for large ranges of nonreciprocity and nonlinear interaction parameters to explicitly demonstrate where the adiabaticity can break down, i.e., the emergence of the nonzero tunneling probabilities even in adiabatic limit.
In this work, we investigate the influence of colored noise originating from a heat bath on nonlinear Landau-Zener (LZ) tunneling. The nonlinearity might arise intrinsically from many-body mean-field atomic self-interactions or Kerr nonlinearities in optical systems. Contrary to the well-established picture of thermally enhanced quantum tunneling within the linear LZ paradigm, ensemble statistics of our numerical simulations demonstrate that nonlinearity can give rise to thermally suppressed LZ tunneling: the tunneling probability of the nonlinear LZ system decreases as the amplitude of the colored noise increases beyond a critical value. Analytically, the Wiener-Hermite expansion facilitates elucidation of the intrinsic mechanism accounting for the nonmonotonic dependence of tunneling probability on noise amplitude. We compare these behaviors with stochastic resonance responses and clarify that the two phenomena stem from distinct physical mechanisms. In addition, we obtain approximate solutions in the weak- and strong-noise limits and discuss the implications of our theory.
We present a comprehensive analysis of the Landau-Zener tunneling of a nonlinear three-level system in a linearly sweeping external field. We find the presence of nonzero tunneling probability in the adiabatic limit (i.e., very slowly sweeping field) even for the situation that the nonlinear term is very small and the energy levels keep the same topological structure as that of the linear case. In particular, the tunneling is irregular with showing an unresolved sensitivity on the sweeping rate. For the case of fast-sweeping fields, we derive an analytic expression for the tunneling probability with stationary phase approximation and show that the nonlinearity can dramatically influence the tunneling probability when the nonlinear ``internal field'' resonate with the external field. We also discuss the asymmetry of the tunneling probability induced by the nonlinearity. Physics behind the above phenomena is revealed and possible application of our model to triple-well trapped Bose-Einstein condensate is discussed.
We develop a general theory of Landau-Zener (LZ) tunneling in a two-level system with amplitude-dependent, sign-reversible nonlinear coupling, distinguishing it fundamentally from conventional on-site nonlinearity. Through a combination of analytical and phase-space analysis, we show that beyond a critical interaction strength, the nonlinear coupling fundamentally reshapes the adiabatic energy landscape, introducing a topological twisted and knotted structure. This structure leads to a complete breakdown of the standard exponential LZ formula, even in the adiabatic limit. Central to this anomalous behavior is the emergence of a black-hole-like fixed point, which acts as a universal attractor: upon traversing the critical region, all quantum trajectories converge to this fixed point, irreversibly erasing any memory of the initial state. From this fixed-point picture, we derive an exact analytical expression for the adiabatic tunneling probability, revealing a characteristic power-law dependence on both linear and nonlinear coupling strength. Our work establishes a paradigmatic framework for nonlinear-coupling-induced anomalous adiabaticity breaking and offers a universal mechanism for state control in driven quantum and wave systems.
We investigate the Landau-Zener transition in two- and three-level systems subject to a classical Gaussian noise. Two complementary limits of the noise being fast and slow compared to characteristic Landau-Zener tunnel times are discussed. The analytical solution of a density matrix (Bloch) equation is given for a long-time asymptotic of transition probability. It is demonstrated that the transition probability induced or assisted by the fast noise can be obtained through a procedure of Bloch's equation averaging with further reducing it to a master equation. In contrast to the case of fast noise, the transition probability for LZ transition induced, or assisted, by the slow classical noise can be obtained by averaging the solution of Bloch's equation over the noise realization. As a result, the transition probability is described by the activation Arrhenius law. The approximate solution of the Bloch's equation at finite times is written in terms of Fresnel's integrals and interpreted in terms of interference pattern. We discuss consequences of a local isomorphism between SU(2) and SO(3) groups and connections between Schr\"odinger and Bloch descriptions of spin dynamics. Based on this isomorphism, we establish the relations between S=1/2S=1/2S=1/2 and 1 transition probabilities influenced by the noise. A possibility to use the slow noise as a probe for tunnel time is discussed.