Logarithmic singularity in a dynamical quantum phase transition for free fermions

Abstract

We study the Loschmidt echo in a system of N non-interacting spinless lattice fermions released from a double-domain-wall initial state. In the large-N limit, the return probability is characterized by a large-deviation rate function known as the dynamical free energy. The Loschmidt echo is dominated by a complex instanton configuration, and the dynamical free energy develops a logarithmic singularity at the dynamical quantum phase transition. We obtain analytical results in the short-time and long-time regimes and support them with numerical computations. We show that the transition can be understood as a topological change of the dominant instanton configuration, analogous to the emergence of a cut in random matrix theory. We further show that post-selection can drive the system through two successive DQPTs, associated with successive topological changes of the dominant instanton configuration in complex time.