arXiv subjects

Carlo Presilla

Publications and source records attributed to Carlo Presilla.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Rigorous existence and location of quantum phase transitions in lattice Hamiltonian systems

We extend the analysis of the class of quantum phase transitions (QPTs) that can be interpreted as condensations in state space, first introduced in [M. Ostilli and C. Presilla, J. Phys. A 54, 055005 (2021)], by generalizing the arguments of [M. Ostilli and C. Presilla, Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 040601 (2021)] to prove the existence and determine the location (via simple bounds) of QPTs in general one-parameter lattice Hamiltonians. Unlike our original formulation, this extension also encompasses second-order QPTs, for which we provide the explicit example of the transverse-field Ising model. Our analysis suggests that, under conditions typically satisfied in physical contexts, any QPT taking place in lattice systems can be interpreted as a condensation in state space.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Dissipatively dressed quasiparticles in boundary driven integrable spin chains

The nonequilibrium steady state (NESS) of integrable spin chains experiencing strong boundary dissipation is accounted by introducing quasiparticles with a renormalized -- dissipatively dressed -- dispersion relation. This allows us to evaluate the spectrum of the NESS in terms of the Bethe ansatz equations for a related coherent system which has the same set of eigenstates, the so-called dissipation-projected Hamiltonian. We find explicit analytic expressions for the dressed energies of the XXX and XXZ models with effective, i.e., induced by the dissipation, diagonal boundary fields, which are U(1) invariant, as well as the XXZ and XYZ models with effective non-diagonal boundary fields. In all cases, the dissipative dressing generates an extra singularity in the dispersion relation, substantially altering the NESS spectrum with respect to the spectrum of the corresponding coherent model.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2025

Perturbative criteria for the ergodicity of interacting dissipative quantum lattice systems

We introduce a class of quantum Markov semigroups describing the evolution of interacting quantum lattice systems, specified either as generic qudits or as fermions. The corresponding generators, which include both conservative and dissipative evolutions, are given by the superposition of local generators in the Lindblad form. Under general conditions, we show that the associated infinite volume dynamics is well defined and can be obtained as the strong limit of the finite volume dynamics. By regarding the interacting evolution as a perturbation of a non-interacting dissipative dynamics, we further obtain a quantitative criterion that yields the ergodicity of the quantum Markov semigroup together with the exponential convergence of local observables. The analysis is based on suitable a priori bounds on the resolvent equation which yield quantitive estimates on the evolution of local observables.

math-ph↗

arXiv2025

Manifolds of exceptional points and effective Zeno limit of an open two-qubit system

We analytically investigate the Liouvillian exceptional point manifolds (LEPMs) of a two-qubit open system, where one qubit is coupled to a dissipative polarization bath. Exploiting a Z_2 symmetry, we block-diagonalize the Liouvillian and show that one symmetry block yields two planar LEPMs while the other one exhibits a more intricate, multi-sheet topology. The intersection curves of these manifolds provide a phase diagram for effective Zeno transitions at small dissipation. These results are consistent with a perturbative extrapolation from the strong Zeno regime. Interestingly, we find that the fastest relaxation to the non-equilibrium steady state occurs on LEPMs associated with the transition to the effective Zeno regime.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Enhancement of fusion reactivities using non-Maxwellian energy distributions

We discuss conditions for the enhancement of fusion reactivities arising from different choices of energy distribution functions for the reactants. The key element for potential gains in fusion reactivity is identified in the functional dependence of the tunnellng coefficient upon the energy, ensuring the existence of a finite range of temperatures for which reactivity of fusion processes is boosted with respect to the Maxwellian case. This is shown, using a convenient parameterization of the tunneling coefficient dependence upon the energy, analytically in the simplified case of a bimodal Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, and numerically for kappa-distributions. We then consider tunneling potentials progressively better approximating fusion processes, and evaluate in each case the average reactivity in the case of kappa-distributions.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2024

Bethe-ansatz diagonalization of steady state of boundary driven integrable spin chains

We find that the density operator of non-equilibrium steady state (NESS) of XXZ spin chain with strong ``sink and source" boundary dissipation, can be described in terms of quasiparticles, with renormalized -- dissipatively dressed -- dispersion relation. The spectrum of the NESS is then fully accounted for by Bethe ansatz equations for an associated coherent system. The dissipative dressing generates an extra singularity in the dispersion relation, which strongly modifies the NESS spectrum with respect to the spectrum of the corresponding coherent model. In particular, this leads to a dissipation-assisted entropy reduction, due to the suppression -- in the NESS spectrum -- of plain wave-type Bethe states in favor of Bethe states localized at the boundaries.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2024

State dependence of tunneling processes and thermonuclear fusion

We discuss the sensitivity of tunneling processes to the initial preparation of the quantum state. We compare the case of Gaussian wave packets of different positional variances using a generalised Woods-Saxon potential for which analytical expressions of the tunneling coefficients are available. Using realistic parameters for barrier potentials we find that the usual plane wave approximation underestimates fusion reactivities by an order of magnitude in a range of temperatures of practical relevance for controlled energy production.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Finite temperature quantum condensations in the space of states: a new perspective for quantum annealing

In nature, everything occurs at finite temperature and quantum phase transitions (QPTs) cannot be an exception. Nevertheless, they are still mainly discussed and formulated at zero temperature. We show that the condensation QPTs recently introduced at zero temperature can naturally be extended to finite temperature just by replacing ground state energies with corresponding free energies. We illustrate this criterion in the paradigmatic Grover model and in a system of free fermions in a one-dimensional inhomogeneous lattice. In agreement with expected universal features, the two systems show structurally similar phase diagrams. Last, we explain how finite temperature condensation QPTs can be used to construct quantum annealers having, at finite temperature, output-probability exponentially close to 1 in the system size. As examples we consider again the Grover model and the fermionic system, the latter being well within the reach of present heterostructure technology.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Finite temperature quantum condensations in the space of states: General Proof

We formalize and prove the extension to finite temperature of a class of quantum phase transitions, acting as condensations in the space of states, recently introduced and discussed at zero temperature~(Ostilli and Presilla 2021 \textit{J. Phys. A: Math. Theor.} \textbf{54} 055005). In details, we find that if, for a quantum system at canonical thermal equilibrium, one can find a partition of its Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$ into two subspaces, $\mathcal{H}_\mathrm{cond}$ and $\mathcal{H}_\mathrm{norm}$, such that, in the thermodynamic limit, $\dim \mathcal{H}_\mathrm{cond}/ \dim \mathcal{H} \to 0$ and the free energies of the system restricted to these subspaces cross each other for some value of the Hamiltonian parameters, then, the system undergoes a first-order quantum phase transition driven by those parameters. The proof is based on an exact probabilistic representation of quantum dynamics at an imaginary time identified with the inverse temperature of the system. We also show that the critical surface has universal features at high and low temperatures.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

Ground-state-energy universality of noninteracting fermionic systems

When noninteracting fermions are confined in a $D$-dimensional region of volume $\mathrm{O}(L^D)$ and subjected to a continuous (or piecewise continuous) potential $V$ which decays sufficiently fast with distance, in the thermodynamic limit, the ground state energy of the system does not depend on $V$. Here, we discuss this theorem from several perspectives and derive a proof for radially symmetric potentials valid in $D$ dimensions. We find that this universality property holds under a quite mild condition on $V$, with or without bounded states, and extends to thermal states. Moreover, it leads to an interesting analogy between Anderson's orthogonality catastrophe and first-order quantum phase transitions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2021

Wigner crystallization of electrons in a one-dimensional lattice: a condensation in the space of states

We study the ground state of a system of spinless electrons interacting through a screened Coulomb potential in a lattice ring. By using analytical arguments, we show that, when the effective interaction compares with the kinetic energy, the system forms a Wigner crystal undergoing a first-order quantum phase transition. This transition is a condensation in the space of the states and belongs to the class of quantum phase transitions discussed in J. Phys.~A \textbf{54}, 055005 (2021). The transition takes place at a critical value ${r_s}_{c}$ of the usual dimensionless parameter $r_s$ (radius of the volume available to each electron divided by effective Bohr radius) for which we are able to provide rigorous lower and upper bounds. For large screening length these bounds can be expressed in a closed analytical form. Demanding Monte Carlo simulations allow to estimate ${r_s}_{c}\simeq 2.3 \pm 0.2$ at lattice filling $3/10$ and screening length 10 lattice constants. This value is well within the rigorous bounds $0.7\leq {r_s}_{c}\leq 4.3$. Finally, we show that if screening is removed after the thermodynamic limit has been taken, ${r_s}_{c}$ tends to zero. In contrast, in a bare unscreened Coulomb potential, Wigner crystallization always takes place as a smooth crossover, not as a quantum phase transition.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2021

Full spectrum of the Liouvillian of open dissipative quantum systems in the Zeno limit

We consider an open quantum system with dissipation, described by a Lindblad Master equation (LME). For dissipation locally acting and sufficiently strong, a separation of the relaxation time scales occurs, which, in terms of the eigenvalues of the Liouvillian, implies a grouping of the latter in distinct vertical stripes in the complex plane at positions determined by the eigenvalues of the dissipator. We derive effective LME equations describing the modes within each stripe separately, and solve them perturbatively, obtaining for the full set of eigenvalues and eigenstates of the Liouvillian explicit expressions correct at order $1/Γ$ included, where $Γ$ is the strength of the dissipation. As a example, we apply our general results to quantum $XYZ$ spin chains coupled, at one boundary, to a dissipative bath of polarization.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2021

First-order quantum phase transitions as condensations in the space of states

We demonstrate that a large class of first-order quantum phase transitions, namely, transitions in which the ground state energy per particle is continuous but its first order derivative has a jump discontinuity, can be described as a condensation in the space of states. Given a system having Hamiltonian $H=K+gV$, where $K$ and $V$ are two non commuting operators acting on the space of states $\mathbb{F}$, we may always write $\mathbb{F}=\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{cond} \oplus \mathbb{F}_\mathrm{norm}$ where $\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{cond}$ is the subspace spanned by the eigenstates of $V$ with minimal eigenvalue and $\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{norm}=\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{cond}^\perp$. If, in the thermodynamic limit, $M_\mathrm{cond}/M \to 0$, where $M$ and $M_\mathrm{cond}$ are, respectively, the dimensions of $\mathbb{F}$ and $\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{cond}$, the above decomposition of $\mathbb{F}$ becomes effective, in the sense that the ground state energy per particle of the system, $ε$, coincides with the smaller between $ε_\mathrm{cond}$ and $ε_\mathrm{norm}$, the ground state energies per particle of the system restricted to the subspaces $\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{cond}$ and $\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{norm}$, respectively: $ε=\min\{ε_\mathrm{cond},ε_\mathrm{norm}\}$. It may then happen that, as a function of the parameter $g$, the energies $ε_\mathrm{cond}$ and $ε_\mathrm{norm}$ cross at $g=g_\mathrm{c}$. In this case, a first-order quantum phase transition takes place between a condensed phase (system restricted to the small subspace $\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{cond}$) and a normal phase (system spread over the large subspace $\mathbb{F}_\mathrm{norm}$)....

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Dissipative generation of pure steady states and a gambler's ruin problem

We consider an open quantum system, with dissipation applied only to a part of its degrees of freedom, evolving via a quantum Markov dynamics. We demonstrate that, in the Zeno regime of large dissipation, the relaxation of the quantum system towards a pure quantum state is linked to the evolution of a classical Markov process towards a single absorbing state. The rates of the associated classical Markov process are determined by the original quantum dynamics. Extension of this correspondence to absorbing states with internal structure allows us to establish a general criterion for having a Zeno-limit nonequilibrium stationary state of arbitrary finite rank. An application of this criterion is illustrated in the case of an open XXZ spin-1/2 chain dissipatively coupled at its edges to baths with fixed and different polarizations. For this system, we find exact nonequilibrium steady-state solutions of ranks 1 and 2.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Effective quantum Zeno dynamics in dissipative quantum systems

We investigate the time evolution of an open quantum system described by a Lindblad master equation with dissipation acting only on a part of the degrees of freedom ${\cal H}_0$ of the system, and targeting a unique dark state in ${\cal H}_0$. We show that, in the Zeno limit of large dissipation, the density matrix of the system traced over the dissipative subspace ${\cal H}_0$, evolves according to another Lindblad dynamics, with renormalized effective Hamiltonian and weak effective dissipation. This behavior is explicitly checked in the case of Heisenberg spin chains with one or both boundary spins strongly coupled to a magnetic reservoir. Moreover, the populations of the eigenstates of the renormalized effective Hamiltonian evolve in time according to a classical Markov dynamics. As a direct application of this result, we propose a computationally-efficient exact method to evaluate the nonequilibrium steady state of a general system in the limit of strong dissipation.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Phase transitions and gaps in quantum random energy models

By using a previously established exact characterization of the ground state of random potential systems in the thermodynamic limit, we determine the ground and first excited energy levels of quantum random energy models, discrete and continuous. We rigorously establish the existence of a universal first order quantum phase transition, obeyed by both the ground and the first excited states. The presence of an exponentially vanishing minimal gap at the transition is general but, quite interestingly, the gap averaged over the realizations of the random potential is finite. This fact leaves still open the chance for some effective quantum annealing algorithm, not necessarily based on a quantum adiabatic scheme.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Spin-helix states in the $XXZ$ spin chain with strong dissipation

We investigate the nonequilibrium steady state (NESS) in an open quantum XXZ chain with strong $XY$ plane boundary polarization gradient. Using the general theory developed in [1], we show that in the critical $XXZ$ $|Δ|<1$ easy plane case, the steady current in large systems under strong driving shows resonance-like behaviour, by an infinitesimal change of the spin chain anisotropy or other parameters. Alternatively, by fine tuning the system parameters and varying the boundary dissipation strength, we observe a change of the NESS current from diffusive (of order $1/N$, for small dissipation strength) to ballistic regime (of order 1, for large dissipation strength). This drastic change results from an accompanying structural change of the NESS, which becomes a pure spin-helix state characterized by a winding number which is proportional to the system size. We calculate the critical dissipation strength needed to observe this surprising effect.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2017

Thermalization of noninteracting quantum systems coupled to blackbody radiation: A Lindblad-based analysis

We study the thermalization of an ensemble of $N$ elementary, arbitrarily-complex, quantum systems, mutually noninteracting but coupled as electric or magnetic dipoles to a blackbody radiation. The elementary systems can be all the same or belong to different species, distinguishable or indistinguishable, located at fixed positions or having translational degrees of freedom. Even if the energy spectra of the constituent systems are nondegenerate, as we suppose, the ensemble unavoidably presents degeneracies of the energy levels and/or of the energy gaps. We show that, due to these degeneracies, a thermalization analysis performed by the popular quantum optical master equation reveals a number of serious pathologies, possibly including a lack of ergodicity. On the other hand, a consistent thermalization scenario is obtained by introducing a Lindblad-based approach, in which the Lindblad operators, instead of being derived from a microscopic calculation, are established as the elements of an operatorial basis with squared amplitudes fixed by imposing a detailed balance condition and requiring their correspondence with the dipole transition rates evaluated under the first-order perturbation theory. Due to the above-mentioned degeneracies, this procedure suffers a basis arbitrariness which, however, can be removed by exploiting the fact that the thermalization of an ensemble of noninteracting systems cannot depend on the ensemble size. As a result, we provide a clear-cut partitioning of the thermalization time into dissipation and decoherence times, for which we derive formulas giving the dependence on the energy levels of the elementary systems, the size $N$ of the ensemble, and the temperature of the blackbody radiation.

quant-ph↗