arXiv subjects

Daniel Podolsky

Publications and source records attributed to Daniel Podolsky.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Multi-scale dynamical symmetries and selection rules in nonlinear optics

Symmetries and their associated selection rules are extremely useful in all fields of science. In particular, for system that include electromagnetic (EM) fields interacting with matter, it has been shown that both of symmetries of matter and EM field's time-dependent polarization play a crucial role in determining the properties of linear and nonlinear responses. The relationship between the system's symmetry and the properties of its excitations facilitate precise control over light emission and enable ultrafast symmetry-breaking spectroscopy of variety of properties. Here. we formulate the first general theory that describes the macroscopic dynamical symmetries (including quasicrystal-like symmetries) of an EM vector field, revealing many new symmetries and selection rules in light-matter interactions. We demonstrate an example of multi-scale selection rules experimentally in the framework of high harmonic generation (HHG). This work waves the way for novel spectroscopic techniques in multi-scale system as well as for imprinting complex structures in EUV-X-ray beams, attosecond pulses, or the interacting medium itself.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2020

Hydrodynamic sound modes and Galilean symmetry breaking in a magnon fluid

The non-interacting magnon gas description in ferromagnets breaks down at finite magnon density where momentum-conserving collisions between magnons become important. Observation of the collision-dominated regime, however, has been hampered by the lack of probes to access the energy and lengthscales characteristic of this regime. Here we identify a key signature of the collision-dominated hydrodynamic regime---a magnon sound mode---which governs dynamics at low frequencies and can be detected with recently-introduced spin qubit magnetometers. The magnon sound mode is an excitation of the longitudinal spin component with frequencies below the spin wave continuum in gapped ferromagnets. We also show that, in the presence of exchange interactions with SU(2) symmetry, the ferromagnet hosts an usual hydrodynamic regime that lacks Galilean symmetry at all energy and lengthscales. The hydrodynamic sound mode, if detected, can lead to a new platform to explore hydrodynamic behavior in quantum materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2019

Resonantly enhanced polariton wave mixing and Floquet parametric instability

We introduce a new theoretical approach for analyzing pump and probe experiments in non-linear acousto-optic systems. In our approach, the effect of coherently pumped polaritons is modeled as providing time-periodic modulation of the system parameters. Within this framework, propagation of the probe pulse is described by the Floquet version of Maxwell's equations and leads to such phenomena as frequency mixing and resonant parametric production of polariton pairs. We analyze light reflection from a slab of insulating material with a strongly excited phonon-polariton mode and obtain analytic expressions for the frequency-dependent reflection coefficient for the probe pulse. Our results are in agreement with recent experiments by Cartella et al. which demonstrated light amplification in resonantly excited SiC insulator. We show that, beyond a critical pumping strength, such systems should exhibit Floquet parametric instability, which corresponds to resonant scattering of the pump polaritons into pairs of finite momentum polaritons. We find that the parametric instability should be achievable in SiC using current experimental techniques and discuss its signatures, including the non-analytic frequency dependence of the reflection coefficient and the probe pulse afterglow. We discuss possible applications of the parametric instability phenomenon and suggest that similar types of instabilities can be present in other photoexcited non-linear systems.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2019

Higgs-mediated optical amplification in a non-equilibrium superconductor

The quest for new functionalities in quantum materials has recently been extended to non-equilibrium states, which are interesting both because they exhibit new physical phenomena and because of their potential for high-speed device applications. Notable advances have been made in the creation of metastable phases and in Floquet engineering under external periodic driving. In the context of non-equilibrium superconductivity, examples have included the generation of transient superconductivity above the thermodynamic transition temperature, the excitation of coherent Higgs mode oscillations, and the optical control of the interlayer phase in cuprates. Here, we propose theoretically a novel non-equilibrium phenomenon, through which a prompt quench from a metal to a transient superconducting state could induce large oscillations of the order parameter amplitude. We argue that this oscillating mode could act as a source of parametric amplification of the incident radiation. We report experimental results on optically driven K$_3$C$_{60}$ that are consistent with these predictions. The effect is found to disappear when the onset of the excitation becomes slower than the Higgs mode period, consistent with the theory proposed here. These results open new possibilities for the use of collective modes in many-body systems to induce non-linear optical effects.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2018

Symmetries and selection rules in Floquet systems: application to harmonic generation in nonlinear optics

Symmetry is one of the most generic and useful concepts in physics and chemistry, often leading to conservation laws and selection rules. For example, symmetry considerations have been used to predict selection rules for transitions in atoms, molecules, and solids. Floquet systems also demonstrate a variety of symmetries which are spatiotemporal (i.e. dynamical symmetries (DSs)). However, the derivation of selection rules from DSs has so far been limited to several ad hoc cases. A general theory for deducing the impact of DSs in physical systems has not been formulated yet. Here we explore symmetries exhibited in Floquet systems using group theory, and discover novel DSs and selection rules. We derive the constraints on a general system's temporal evolution, and selection rules that are imposed by the DSs. As an example, we apply the theory to harmonic generation, and derive tables linking (2+1)D and (3+1)D DSs of the driving laser and medium to allowed harmonic emission and its polarization. We identify several new symmetries and selection rules, including an elliptical DS that leads to production of elliptically polarized harmonics where all the harmonics have the same ellipticity, and selection rules that have no explanation based on currently known conservation laws. We expect the theory to be useful for manipulating the harmonic spectrum, and for ultrafast spectroscopy. Furthermore, the presented Floquet group theory should be useful in various other systems, e.g., Floquet topological insulators and photonic lattices, possibly yielding formal and general classification of symmetry and topological properties.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Molten Antiferromagnets in Two Dimensions

We study crystal melting in two-dimensional antiferromagnets, by analyzing the statistical mechanics of the six-state clock model on a lattice in which defects (dislocations and disclinations) are allowed to appear. We show that the elementary dislocations bind to fractional magnetic vortices. We compute the phase diagram by mapping the system into a Coulomb gas model. Surprisingly, we find that in the limit of dominant magnetic interactions, antiferromagnetism can survive even in the hexatic and liquid phases. The ensuing molten antiferromagnets are topologically ordered and are characterized by spontaneous symmetry breaking of a non-local order parameter.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Thermalization in Open Quantum Systems

We study thermalization in open quantum systems using the Lindblad formalism. A method that both thermalizes and couples to Lindblad operators only at edges of the system is introduced. Our method leads to a Gibbs state of the system, satisfies fluctuation-dissipation relations, and applies both to integrable and non-integrable systems. Possible applications of the method include the study of systems coupled locally to multiple reservoirs. Our analysis also highlights the limits of applicability of the Lindblad approach to study strongly driven systems.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Dynamical response near quantum critical points

We study high frequency response functions, notably the optical conductivity, in the vicinity of quantum critical points (QCPs) by allowing for both detuning from the critical coupling and finite temperature. We consider general dimensions and dynamical exponents. This leads to a unified understanding of sum rules. In systems with emergent Lorentz invariance, powerful methods from conformal field theory allow us to fix the high frequency response in terms of universal coefficients. We test our predictions analytically in the large-N O(N) model and using the gauge-gravity duality, and numerically via Quantum Monte Carlo simulations on a lattice model hosting the interacting superfluid-insulator QCP. In superfluid phases, interacting Goldstone bosons qualitatively change the high frequency optical conductivity, and the corresponding sum rule.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Buckling transitions and clock order of two-dimensional Coulomb crystals

Crystals of repulsively interacting ions in planar traps form hexagonal lattices, which undergo a buckling instability towards a multi-layer structure as the transverse trap frequency is reduced. Numerical and experimental results indicate that the new structure is composed of three planes, whose separation increases continuously from zero. We study the effects of thermal and quantum fluctuations by mapping this structural instability to the six-state clock model. A prominent implication of this mapping is that at finite temperature, fluctuations split the buckling instability into two thermal transitions, accompanied by the appearance of an intermediate critical phase. This phase is characterized by quasi-long-range order in the spatial tripartite pattern. It is manifested by broadened Bragg peaks at new wave vectors, whose line-shape provides a direct measurement of the temperature dependent exponent $η(T)$ characteristic of the power-law correlations in the critical phase. A quantum phase transition is found at the largest value of the critical transverse frequency: here the critical intermediate phase shrinks to zero. Moreover, within the ordered phase, we predict a crossover from classical to quantum behavior, signifying the emergence of an additional characteristic scale for clock order. We discuss experimental realizations with trapped ions and polarized dipolar gases, and propose that within accessible technology, such experiments can provide a direct probe of the rich phase diagram of the quantum clock model, not easily observable in condensed matter analogues. Therefore, this works highlights the potential for ionic and dipolar systems to serve as simulators for complex models in statistical mechanics and condensed matter physics.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2015

Collective modes in a quantum solid

We provide a theoretical explanation for the optical modes observed in inelastic neutron scattering (INS) on the bcc solid phase of helium 4 [T. Markovich, E. Polturak, J. Bossy, and E. Farhi, Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 195301 (2002)]. We argue that these excitations are amplitude (Higgs) modes associated with fluctuations of the crystal order parameter within the unit cell. We present an analysis of the modes based on an effective Ginzburg-Landau model, classify them according to their symmetry properties, and compute their signature in INS experiments. In addition, we calculate the dynamical structure factor by means of an ab intio quantum Monte Carlo simulation and find a finite frequency excitation at zero relative momentum.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Spectral function of the Higgs mode in 4-\varepsilon dimensions

We investigate the amplitude (Higgs) mode of the relativistic O(N) model in the vicinity of the Wilson-Fisher quantum critical point in D=4-epsilon spacetime dimensions. We compute the universal part of the scalar spectral function near the transition, to leading non-trivial order in the ordered phase, and to next to leading order in both the disordered phase and the quantum critical regime. We find that, in the disordered phase, the spectral function has a threshold behavior with no Higgs-like peak, whereas in the ordered phase, the Higgs mode appears as a well defined resonance. The pole associated with this resonance is purely real in the D->4 limit, evolving smoothly with dimensionality to become purely imaginary at D=3 in the N->infty limit. Our results complement previous studies of the scalar spectral function, and demonstrate that the resonance found in these studies can indeed be directly identified with the Higgs mode.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2015

Critical capacitance and charge-vortex duality near the superfluid to insulator transition

Using a generalized reciprocity relation between charge and vortex conductivities at complex frequencies in two space dimensions, we identify the capacitance in the insulating phase as a measure of vortex condensate stiffness. We compute the ratio of boson superfluid stiffness to vortex condensate stiffness at mirror points to be 0.21(1) for the relativistic O(2) model. The product of dynamical conductivities at mirror points is used as a test of charge-vortex duality. We propose the finite wave vector compressibility as an experimental measure of the vortex condensate stiffness for neutral lattice bosons.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2014

From classical to quantum criticality

We study the crossover from classical to quantum phase transitions at zero temperature within the framework of $ϕ^4$ theory. The classical transition at zero temperature can be described by the Landau theory, turning into a quantum Ising transition with the addition of quantum fluctuations. We perform a calculation of the transition line in the regime where the quantum fluctuations are weak. The calculation is based on a renormalization group analysis of the crossover between classical and quantum transitions, and is well controlled even for space-time dimensionality $D$ below 4. In particular, for $D=2$ we obtain an analytic expression for the transition line which is valid for a wide range of parameters, as confirmed by numerical calculations based on the Density Matrix Renormalization Group. This behavior could be tested by measuring the phase diagram of the linear-zigzag instability in systems of trapped ions or repulsively-interacting dipoles.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2014

Generation and Manipulation of Localized Modes in Floquet Topological Insulators

We investigate Floquet Topological Insulators in the presence of spatially-modulated light. We extend on previous work to show that light can be used to generate and control localized modes in the bulk of these systems. We provide examples of bulk modes generated through modulation of different properties of the light, such as its phase, polarization and frequency. We show that these effects may be realized in a variety of systems, including a zincblende model and graphene, and also provide a generalization of these results to three dimensional systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Fate of the Higgs mode near quantum criticality

We study the relativistic O(N) field theory near the quantum critical point in 2+1 dimensions for N=2 and N=3. The scalar susceptibility is evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation. We show that the spectrum contains a peak associated with the Higgs mode, which remains well-defined all the way to the critical point. The fidelity of this peak and the amplitude ratio between the critical energy scales on both sides of the transition are computed.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2013

Dynamic Spin Fluctuations at $T\rightarrow 0$ in a Spin-1/2 Ferromagnetic Kagome Lattice

We report magnetization, electron spin resonance (ESR), and muon spin relaxation ($μ$SR) measurements on single crystals of the $S=1/2$ (Cu$% ^{+2}$) kagomé compound Cu(1,3-benzendicarboxylate). The $μ$SR is carried to temperatures as low as 45 mK. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are determined from the analysis of the magnetization and ESR data. We find that this compound has anisotropic ferromagnetic interactions. Nevertheless, no spin freezing is observed even at temperatures two orders of magnitude lower than the coupling constants. In light of this finding, the relation between persistent spin dynamics and spin liquid are reexamined.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Dynamics and Conductivity Near Quantum Criticality

Relativistic O(N) field theories are studied near the quantum critical point in two space dimensions. We compute dynamical correlations by large scale Monte Carlo simulations and numerical analytic continuation. In the ordered side, the scalar spectral function exhibits a universal peak at the Higgs mass. For N=3 and 4 we confirm its ω^3 rise at low frequency. On the disordered side, the spectral function exhibits a sharp gap. For N=2, the dynamical conductivity rises above a threshold at the Higgs mass (density gap), in the superfluid (Mott insulator) phase. For charged bosons, (Josephson arrays) the power law rise above the Higgs mass, increases from two to four. Approximate charge-vortex duality is reflected in the ratio of imaginary conductivities on either side of the transition. We determine the critical conductivity to be σ^*_c = 0.3 (\pm 0.1) 4e^2/h. In the appendices, we describe a generalization of the worm algorithm to N>2, and also a singular value decomposition error analysis for the numerical analytic continuation.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Transport-induced correlations in weakly interacting systems

We study spatial correlations in the transport of energy between two baths at different temperatures. To do this, we introduce a minimal model in which energy flows from one bath to another through two subsystems. We show that the transport-induced energy correlations between the two subsystems are of the same order as the energy fluctuations within each subsystem. The correlations can be either positive or negative and we give bounds on their values which are associated with a dynamic energy scale. The different signs originate as a competition between fluctuations generated near the baths, and fluctuations of the current between the two subsystems. This interpretation sheds light on known results for spatially-dependent heat and particle conduction models.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗