Dynamical Topological Transitions in the Massive Schwinger Model with a θ Term

Aiming at a better understanding of anomalous and topological effects in gauge theories out of equilibrium, we study the real-time dynamics of a prototype model for CP violation, the massive Schwinger model with a θ term. We identify dynamical quantum phase transitions between different topological...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2019-02, Vol.122 (5), p.050403-050403, Article 050403
Main Authors: Zache, T V, Mueller, N, Schneider, J T, Jendrzejewski, F, Berges, J, Hauke, P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cold traps
Computer simulation
Correlators
CP violation
Fermions
Mathematical models
Order parameters
Phase transitions
Qubits (quantum computing)
Real time
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Summary:Aiming at a better understanding of anomalous and topological effects in gauge theories out of equilibrium, we study the real-time dynamics of a prototype model for CP violation, the massive Schwinger model with a θ term. We identify dynamical quantum phase transitions between different topological sectors that appear after sufficiently strong quenches of the θ parameter. Moreover, we establish a general dynamical topological order parameter, which can be accessed through fermion two-point correlators and, importantly, which can be applied for interacting theories. Enabled by this result, we show that the topological transitions persist beyond the weak-coupling regime. Finally, these effects can be observed with tabletop experiments based on existing cold-atom, superconducting-qubit, and trapped-ion technology. Our Letter thus presents a significant step towards quantum simulating topological and anomalous real-time phenomena relevant to nuclear and high-energy physics.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.050403