Quantum tricritical behavior and multistable macroscopic quantum states in generalized Dicke model

• Published in: Results in physics 2021-08, Vol.27, p.104470, Article 104470
• Main Authors: Huang, Shan, Liu, Ni, Liang, J.-Q.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2211-3797; 2211-3797
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rinp.2021.104470

In this article, we obtain the multistable macroscopic quantum states and quantum tricritical behavior in generalized Dicke model (DM) analytically by means of spin-coherent-state (SCS) variational method for a finite atom number N. The quantum phase transition (QPT) is characterized by the ground state from the normal phase (NP) to the superradiant phases (SP). The second-order QPT turns to the first-order one at the tricritical point of phase boundary. The tricritical behavior of QPT emerges when the coupling strength of the symmetry breaking mechanism increases to a certain extent, which leads to an additional dimension of phase diagram. Beyond the ground state the symmetry-breaking coupling can manipulate the pseudospin flip of higher-level macroscopic states. The critical property of QPT is also demonstrated from the average photon-number, the atomic population as well as Berry phase. •We firstly obtain the multi-stable macroscopic quantum states of tricritical Dicke-model analytically by means of spin-coherent-state variational method for a finite atom number.•The second-order quantum phase transition turns to the first-order one at the tricritical point of phase boundary when the coupling strength of the symmetry breaking mechanism increases to a certain extent, which leads to an additional dimension of phase diagram and can manipulate the pseudospin flip of higher-level macroscopic states.