Quantitative Verification of the Kibble–Zurek Mechanism in Quantum Nonequilibrium Dynamics

Jennifer Patterson, Michael L. Wall, Lincoln D. Carr

Alexander Keesling, Ahmed Omran, Harry Levine +12 more

Xiao-Ye Xu, Yong‐Jian Han, Kai Sun +4 more

The Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM) captures the key physics of nonequilibrium dynamics in second order phase transitions, and accurately predicts the density of topological defects formed in such processes. However, the central prediction of KZM--i.e., the scaling of the density of defects with the quench rate--still needs further experimental confirmation, particularly for quantum transitions. Here, we perform a quantum simulation of the nonequilibrium dynamics of the Landau-Zener model based on a nine-stage optical interferometer with an overall visibility of 0.975±0.008. The results support the adiabatic-impulse approximation, which is the core of Kibble-Zurek theory. Moreover, the developed high-fidelity multistage optical interferometer can support more complex linear optical quantum simulations.

Sei Suzuki

Bogdan Damski

It can be shown that the dynamics of the Landau-Zener model can be accurately described in terms of the Kibble-Zurek theory of the topological defect production in nonequilibrium phase transitions. The simplest quantum model exhibiting the Kibble-Zurek mechanism is presented. A new intuitive description of Landau-Zener dynamics is found.

Yogesh Sharad Patil, Hil Fung Harry Cheung, Aditya Date +1 more