Universal scaling of quench-induced correlations in a one-dimensional channel at finite temperature

in SciPost Physics (2018)

It has been shown that a quantum quench of interactions in a one-dimensional fermion system at zero temperature induces a universal power law ∝t−2 in its long-time dynamics. In this paper we demonstrate ... [more ▼]

It has been shown that a quantum quench of interactions in a one-dimensional fermion system at zero temperature induces a universal power law ∝t−2 in its long-time dynamics. In this paper we demonstrate that this behaviour is robust even in the presence of thermal effects. The system is initially prepared in a thermal state, then at a given time the bath is disconnected and the interaction strength is suddenly quenched. The corresponding effects on the long times dynamics of the non-equilibrium fermionic spectral function are considered. We show that the non-universal power laws, present at zero temperature, acquire an exponential decay due to thermal effects and are washed out at long times, while the universal behaviour ∝t−2 is always present. To verify our findings, we argue that these features are also visible in transport properties at finite temperature. The long-time dynamics of the current injected from a biased probe exhibits the same universal power law relaxation, in sharp contrast with the non-quenched case which features a fast exponential decay of the current towards its steady value, and thus represents a fingerprint of quench-induced dynamics. Finally, we show that a proper tuning of the probe temperature, compared to that of the one-dimensional channel, can enhance the visibility of the universal power-law behaviour. [less ▲]

Quench-induced entanglement and relaxation dynamics in Luttinger liquids

in Physical Review. B (2017), 96

We investigate the time evolution towards the asymptotic steady state of a one-dimensional interacting system after a quantum quench. We show that at finite times the latter induces entanglement between ... [more ▼]

We investigate the time evolution towards the asymptotic steady state of a one-dimensional interacting system after a quantum quench. We show that at finite times the latter induces entanglement between right- and left-moving density excitations, encoded in their cross-correlators, which vanishes in the long-time limit. This behavior results in a universal time decay ∝t−2 of the system spectral properties, in addition to nonuniversal power-law contributions typical of Luttinger liquids. Importantly, we argue that the presence of quench-induced entanglement clearly emerges in transport properties, such as charge and energy currents injected in the system from a biased probe and determines their long-time dynamics. In particular, the energy fractionalization phenomenon turns out to be a promising platform to observe the universal power-law decay ∝t−2 induced by entanglement and represents a novel way to study the corresponding relaxation mechanism. [less ▲]

Transport Properties as a Tool to Study Universal Quench-induced Dynamics in 1D Systems

Scientific Conference (2017, August 07)

The study of the relaxation process that follows a quantum quench in 1D systems still represents an open research field. Here we consider a sudden change of the interparticle interaction and we identify a ... [more ▼]

The study of the relaxation process that follows a quantum quench in 1D systems still represents an open research field. Here we consider a sudden change of the interparticle interaction and we identify a peculiar correlator of the system whose behavior is directly and deeply affected by the quench-induced dynamics. Interestingly, it features a universal power-law decay in time. Unfortunately, such a universal decay, although present, turns out to be subleading in intrinsic properties of the system such as the non- equilibrium spectral function. We thus consider a tunnel coupling of the system with a biased tip in order to be able to study also transport properties, namely the charge and energy current flowing from the tip to the system after the quench. In these quantities the universal power-law emerges clearly, especially if one focuses on energy current and its fractionalization into a right- and left- moving components. In particular, we show that the presence of a transient in the energy fractionalization ratio is a direct hallmark of the quench-induced relaxation. Within the setup we have considered, time-dependent transport properties are thus promoted to useful and promising tools to access the mechanisms at the base of the out-of- equilibrium dynamics following quantum quench. [less ▲]

Nonequilibrium effects on charge and energy partitioning after an interaction quench

in Physical Review. B (2017), 95

Charge and energy fractionalization are among the most intriguing features of interacting one-dimensional fermion systems. In this work we determine how these phenomena are modified in the presence of an ... [more ▼]

Charge and energy fractionalization are among the most intriguing features of interacting one-dimensional fermion systems. In this work we determine how these phenomena are modified in the presence of an interaction quench. Charge and energy are injected into the system suddenly after the quench, by means of tunneling processes with a noninteracting one-dimensional probe. Here, we demonstrate that the system settles to a steady state in which the charge fractionalization ratio is unaffected by the prequenched parameters. On the contrary, due to the postquench nonequilibrium spectral function, the energy partitioning ratio is strongly modified, reaching values larger than 1. This is a peculiar feature of the nonequilibrium dynamics of the quench process and it is in sharp contrast with the nonquenched case, where the ratio is bounded by 1. [less ▲]

Time-resolved energy dynamics after single electron injection into an interacting helical liquid

in Physical Review. B, Condensed Matter and Materials Physics (2016), 94(03), 5404

The possibility of injecting a single electron into ballistic conductors is at the basis of the new field of electron quantum optics. Here, we consider a single electron injection into the helical edge ... [more ▼]

The possibility of injecting a single electron into ballistic conductors is at the basis of the new field of electron quantum optics. Here, we consider a single electron injection into the helical edge channels of a topological insulator. Their counterpropagating nature and the unavoidable presence of electron-electron interactions dramatically affect the time evolution of the single wave packet. Modeling the injection process from a mesoscopic capacitor in the presence of nonlocal tunneling, we focus on the time-resolved charge and energy packet dynamics. Both quantities split up into counterpropagating contributions whose profiles are strongly affected by the interaction strength. In addition, stronger signatures are found for the injected energy, which is also affected by the finite width of the tunneling region, in contrast to what happens for the charge. Indeed, the energy flow can be controlled by tuning the injection parameters, and we demonstrate that, in the presence of nonlocal tunneling, it is possible to achieve a situation in which charge and energy flow in opposite directions. [less ▲]

Time-resolved pure spin fractionalization and spin-charge separation in helical Luttinger liquid based devices

in Physical Review. B (2015)