arXiv subjects

Eric Vernier

Publications and source records attributed to Eric Vernier.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Probing symmetries of quantum many-body systems through gap ratio statistics

The statistics of gap ratios between consecutive energy levels is a widely used tool, in particular in the context of many-body physics, to distinguish between chaotic and integrable systems, described respectively by Gaussian ensembles of random matrices and Poisson statistics. In this work we extend the study of the gap ratio distribution P(r) to the case where discrete symmetries are present. This is important, since in certain situations it may be very impractical, or impossible, to split the model into symmetry sectors, let alone in cases where the symmetry is not known in the first place. Starting from the known expressions for surmises in the Gaussian ensembles, we derive analytical surmises for random matrices comprised of several independent blocks. We check our formulae against simulations from large random matrices, showing excellent agreement. We then present a large set of applications in many-body physics, ranging from quantum clock models and anyonic chains to periodically-driven spin systems. In all these models the existence of a (sometimes hidden) symmetry can be diagnosed through the study of the spectral gap ratios, and our approach furnishes an efficient way to characterize the number and size of independent symmetry subspaces. We finally discuss the relevance of our analysis for existing results in the literature, as well as its practical usefulness, and point out possible future applications and extensions.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2021

An integrable spin chain with Hilbert space fragmentation and solvable real time dynamics

We revisit the so-called folded XXZ model, which was treated earlier by two independent research groups. We argue that this spin-1/2 chain is one of the simplest quantum integrable models, yet it has quite remarkable physical properties. The particles have constant scattering lengths, which leads to a simple treatment of the exact spectrum and the dynamics of the system. The Hilbert space of the model is fragmented, leading to exponentially large degeneracies in the spectrum, such that the exponent depends on the particle content of a given state. We provide an alternative derivation of the Hamiltonian and the conserved charges of the model, including a new interpretation of the so-called "dual model" considered earlier. We also construct a non-local map that connects the model with the Maassarani-Mathieu spin chain, also known as the SU(3) XX model. We consider the exact solution of the model with periodic and open boundary conditions, and also derive multiple descriptions of the exact thermodynamics of the model. We consider quantum quenches of different types. In one class of problems the dynamics can be treated relatively easily: we compute an example for the real time dependence of a local observable. In another class of quenches the degeneracies of the model lead to the breakdown of equilibration, and we argue that they can lead to persistent oscillations. We also discuss connections with the $T\bar T$- and hard rod deformations known from Quantum Field Theories.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2020

Mixing times and cutoffs in open quadratic fermionic systems

In classical probability theory, the term "cutoff" describes the property of some Markov chains to jump from (close to) their initial configuration to (close to) completely mixed in a very narrow window of time. We investigate how coherent quantum evolution affects the mixing properties in two fermionic quantum models (the "gain/loss" and "topological" models), whose time evolution is governed by a Lindblad equation quadratic in fermionic operators, allowing for a straightforward exact solution. We check that the phenomenon of cutoff extends to the quantum case and examine with some care how the mixing properties depend on the initial state, drawing different regimes of our models with qualitatively different behaviour. In the topological case, we further show how the mixing properties are affected by the presence of a long-lived edge zero mode when taking open boundary conditions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2020

The "not-A", RSPT and Potts phases in an $S_3$-invariant chain

We analyse in depth an $S_3$-invariant nearest-neighbor quantum chain in the region of a U(1)-invariant self-dual multicritical point. We find four distinct proximate gapped phases. One has three-state Potts order, corresponding to topological order in a parafermionic formulation. Also nearby is a phase with "representation" symmetry-protected topological (RSPT) order. Its dual exhibits an unusual "not-A" order, where the spins prefer to align in two of the three directions. Within each of the four phases, we find a frustration-free point with exact ground state(s). The exact RSPT ground state is similar to that of Affleck-Kennedy-Lieb-Tasaki, whereas its dual states in the not-A phase are product states, each an equal-amplitude sum over all states where one of the three spin states on each site is absent. A field-theory analysis shows that all transitions are in the universality class of the critical three-state Potts model. They provide a lattice realization of a flow from a free-boson field theory to the Potts conformal field theory.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2019

Onsager symmetries in $U(1)$-invariant clock models

We show how the Onsager algebra, used in the original solution of the two-dimensional Ising model, arises as an infinite-dimensional symmetry of certain self-dual models that also have a $U(1)$ symmetry. We describe in detail the example of nearest-neighbour $n$-state clock chains whose ${\mathbb Z}_n$ symmetry is enhanced to $U(1)$. As a consequence of the Onsager-algebra symmetry, the spectrum of these models possesses degeneracies with multiplicities $2^N$ for positive integer $N$. We construct the elements of the algebra explicitly from transfer matrices built from non-fundamental representations of the quantum-group algebra $U_q(sl_2)$. We analyse the spectra further by using both the coordinate Bethe ansatz and a functional approach, and show that the degeneracies result from special exact $n$-string solutions of the Bethe equations. We also find a family of commuting chiral Hamiltonians that break the degeneracies and allow an integrable interpolation between ferro- and antiferromagnets.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2019

Integrable quenches in nested spin chains I: the exact steady states

We consider quantum quenches in the integrable $SU(3)$-invariant spin chain (Lai-Sutherland model) which admits a Bethe ansatz description in terms of two different quasiparticle species, providing a prototypical example of a model solvable by nested Bethe ansatz. We identify infinite families of integrable initial states for which analytic results can be obtained. We show that they include special families of two-site product states which can be related to integrable ``soliton non-preserving'' boundary conditions in an appropriate rotated channel. We present a complete analytical result for the quasiparticle rapidity distribution functions corresponding to the stationary state reached at large times after the quench from the integrable initial states. Our results are obtained within a Quantum Transfer Matrix (QTM) approach, which does not rely on the knowledge of the quasilocal conservation laws or of the overlaps between the initial states and the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian. Furthermore, based on an analogy with previous works, we conjecture analytic expressions for such overlaps: this allows us to employ the Quench Action method to derive a set of integral equations characterizing the quasi-particle distribution functions of the post-quench steady state. We verify that the solution to the latter coincides with our analytic result found using the QTM approach. Finally, we present a direct physical application of our results by providing predictions for the propagation of entanglement after the quench from such integrable states.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2019

Integrable quenches in nested spin chains II: fusion of boundary transfer matrices

We consider quantum quenches in the integrable $SU(3)$-invariant spin chain (Lai-Sutherland model), and focus on the family of integrable initial states. By means of a Quantum Transfer Matrix approach, these can be related to "soliton-non-preserving" boundary transfer matrices in an appropriate transverse direction. In this work, we provide a technical analysis of such integrable transfer matrices. In particular, we address the computation of their spectrum: this is achieved by deriving a set of functional relations between the eigenvalues of certain "fused operators" that are constructed starting from the soliton-non-preserving boundary transfer matrices (namely the $T$- and $Y$-systems). As a direct physical application of our analysis, we compute the Loschmidt echo for imaginary and real times after a quench from the integrable states. Our results are also relevant for the study of the spectrum of $SU(3)$-invariant Hamiltonians with open boundary conditions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2019

Integrable Matrix Product States from boundary integrability

We consider integrable Matrix Product States (MPS) in integrable spin chains and show that they correspond to "operator valued" solutions of the so-called twisted Boundary Yang-Baxter (or reflection) equation. We argue that the integrability condition is equivalent to a new linear intertwiner relation, which we call the "square root relation", because it involves half of the steps of the reflection equation. It is then shown that the square root relation leads to the full Boundary Yang-Baxter equations. We provide explicit solutions in a number of cases characterized by special symmetries. These correspond to the "symmetric pairs" $(SU(N),SO(N))$ and $(SO(N),SO(D)\otimes SO(N-D))$, where in each pair the first and second elements are the symmetry groups of the spin chain and the integrable state, respectively. These solutions can be considered as explicit representations of the corresponding twisted Yangians, that are new in a number of cases. Examples include certain concrete MPS relevant for the computation of one-point functions in defect AdS/CFT.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2018

On truncations of the Chalker-Coddington model

The supersymmetric reformulation of physical observables in the Chalker-Coddington model (CC) for the plateau transition in the integer quantum Hall effect leads to a reformulation of its critical properties in terms of a 2D non-compact loop model or a 1D non-compact $gl(2|2)$ spin chain. Following a proposal by Ikhlef, Fendley and Cardy, we define and study a series of truncations of these loop models and spin chains, involving a finite and growing number of degrees of freedom per site. The case of the first truncation is solved analytically using the Bethe-ansatz. It is shown to exhibit many of the qualitative features expected for the untruncated theory, including a quadratic spectrum of exponents with a continuous component, and a normalizable ground state below that continuum. Quantitative properties are however at odds with the results of simulations on the CC model. Higher truncations are studied only numerically. While their properties are found to get closer to those of the CC model, it is not clear whether this is a genuine effect, or the result of strong finite-size corrections.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2018

Non-analytic behavior of the Loschmidt echo in XXZ spin chains: exact results

We address the computation of the Loschmidt echo in interacting integrable spin chains after a quantum quench. We focus on the massless regime of the XXZ spin-1/2 chain and present exact results for the dynamical free energy (Loschmidt echo per site) for a special class of integrable initial states. For the first time we are able to observe and describe points of non-analyticities using exact methods, by following the Loschmidt echo up to large real times. The dynamical free energy is computed as the leading eigenvalue of an appropriate Quantum Transfer Matrix, and the non-analyticities arise from the level crossings of this matrix. Our exact results are expressed in terms of "excited-state" thermodynamic Bethe ansatz equations, whose solutions involve non-trivial Riemann surfaces. By evaluating our formulas, we provide explicit numerical results for the quench from the Néel state, and we determine the first few non-analytic points.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

What is an integrable quench?

Inspired by classical results in integrable boundary quantum field theory, we propose a definition of integrable initial states for quantum quenches in lattice models. They are defined as the states which are annihilated by all local conserved charges that are odd under space reflection. We show that this class includes the states which can be related to integrable boundary conditions in an appropriate rotated channel, in loose analogy with the picture in quantum field theory. Furthermore, we provide an efficient method to test integrability of given initial states. We revisit the recent literature of global quenches in several models and show that, in all of the cases where closed-form analytical results could be obtained, the initial state is integrable according to our definition. In the prototypical example of the XXZ spin-s chains we show that integrable states include two-site product states but also larger families of matrix product states with arbitrary bond dimension. We argue that our results could be practically useful for the study of quantum quenches in generic integrable models.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Correlations and diagonal entropy after quantum quenches in XXZ chains

We study quantum quenches in the XXZ spin-$1/2$ Heisenberg chain from families of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic initial states. Using Bethe ansatz techniques, we compute short-range correlators in the complete generalized Gibbs ensemble (GGE), which takes into account all local and quasi-local conservation laws. We compare our results to exact diagonalization and numerical linked cluster expansion calculations for the diagonal ensemble finding excellent agreement and thus providing a very accurate test for the validity of the complete GGE. Furthermore, we compute the diagonal entropy in the post-quench steady state. By careful finite-size scaling analyses of the exact diagonalization results, we show that the diagonal entropy is equal to one half the Yang-Yang entropy corresponding to the complete GGE. Finally, the complete GGE is quantitatively contrasted with the GGE built using only the local conserved charges (local GGE). The predictions of the two ensembles are found to differ significantly in the case of ferromagnetic initial states. Such initial states are better suited than others considered in the literature to experimentally test the validity of the complete GGE and contrast it to the failure of the local GGE.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

From the Quantum Transfer Matrix to the Quench Action: The Loschmidt echo in $XXZ$ Heisenberg spin chains

We consider the computation of the Loschmidt echo after quantum quenches in the interacting $XXZ$ Heisenberg spin chain both for real and imaginary times. We study two-site product initial states, focusing in particular on the Néel and tilted Néel states. We apply the Quantum Transfer Matrix (QTM) approach to derive generalized TBA equations, which follow from the fusion hierarchy of the appropriate QTM's. Our formulas are valid for arbitrary imaginary time and for real times at least up to a time $t_0$, after which the integral equations have to be modified. In some regimes, $t_0$ is seen to be either very large or infinite, allowing to explore in detail the post-quench dynamics of the system. As an important part of our work, we show that for the Néel state our imaginary time results can be recovered by means of the quench action approach, unveiling a direct connection with the quantum transfer matrix formalism. In particular, we show that in the zero-time limit, the study of our TBA equations allows for a simple alternative derivation of the recently obtained Bethe ansatz distribution functions for the Néel, tilted Néel and tilted ferromagnet states.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Elaborating the phase diagram of spin-1 anyonic chains

We revisit the phase diagram of spin-1 $su(2)_k$ anyonic chains, originally studied by Gils {\it et. al.} [Phys. Rev. B, {\bf 87} (23) (2013)]. These chains possess several integrable points, which were overlooked (or only briefly considered) so far. Exploiting integrability through a combination of algebraic techniques and exact Bethe ansatz results, we establish in particular the presence of new first order phase transitions, a new critical point described by a $Z_k$ parafermionic CFT, and of even more phases than originally conjectured. Our results leave room for yet more progress in the understanding of spin-1 anyonic chains.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2016

Quasilocal charges and progress towards the complete GGE for field theories with non-diagonal scattering

It has recently been shown that some integrable spin chains possess a set of quasilocal conserved charges, with the classic example being the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ XXZ Heisenberg chain. These charges have been proven to be essential for properly describing stationary states after a quantum quench, and must be included in the generalized Gibbs ensemble (GGE). We find that similar charges are also necessary for the GGE description of integrable quantum field theories with non-diagonal scattering. A stationary state in a non-diagonal scattering theory is completely specified by fixing the mode-ocuppation density distributions of physical particles, as well auxiliary particles which carry no energy or momentum. We show that the set of conserved charges with integer Lorentz spin, related to the integrability of the model, are unable to fix the distributions of these auxiliary particles, since these charges can only fix kinematical properties of physical particles. The field theory analogs of quasilocal lattice charges are therefore necessary. As a concrete example, we find the complete set of charges needed in the sine-Gordon model, by using the fact that this field theory is recovered as the continuum limit of a spatially inhomogeneous version of the XXZ chain. The set of quasilocal charges of the lattice theory are shown to become a set local charges with fractional spin in the field theory.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2016

Exact steady states for quantum quenches in integrable Heisenberg spin chains

The study of quantum quenches in integrable systems has significantly advanced with the introduction of the Quench Action method, a versatile analytical approach to non-equilibrium dynamics. However, its application is limited to those cases where the overlaps between the initial state and the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian governing the time evolution are known exactly. Conversely, in this work we consider physically interesting initial states for which such overlaps are still unknown. In particular, we focus on different classes of product states in spin-$1/2$ and spin-$1$ integrable chains, such as tilted ferromagnets and antiferromagnets. We get around the missing overlaps by following a recent approach based on the knowledge of complete sets of quasi-local charges. This allows us to provide a closed-form analytical characterization of the effective stationary state reached at long times after the quench, through the Bethe ansatz distributions of particles and holes. We compute the asymptotic value of local correlations and check our predictions against numerical data.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2016

Q-colourings of the triangular lattice: Exact exponents and conformal field theory

We revisit the problem of Q-colourings of the triangular lattice using a mapping onto an integrable spin-one model, which can be solved exactly using Bethe Ansatz techniques. In particular we focus on the low-energy excitations above the eigenlevel g_2, which was shown by Baxter to dominate the transfer matrix spectrum in the Fortuin-Kasteleyn (chromatic polynomial) representation for Q_0 <= Q <= 4, where Q_0 = 3.819671... We argue that g_2 and its scaling levels define a conformally invariant theory, the so-called regime IV, which provides the actual description of the (analytically continued) colouring problem within a much wider range, namely 2 < Q <= 4. The corresponding conformal field theory is identified and the exact critical exponents are derived. We discuss their implications for the phase diagram of the antiferromagnetic triangular-lattice Potts model at non-zero temperature. Finally, we relate our results to recent observations in the field of spin-one anyonic chains.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2016

Quasi-local conserved charges and spin transport in spin-$1$ integrable chains

We consider the integrable one-dimensional spin-$1$ chain defined by the Zamolodchikov-Fateev (ZF) Hamiltonian. The latter is parametrized, analogously to the XXZ spin-$1/2$ model, by a continuous anisotropy parameter and at the isotropic point coincides with the well-known spin-$1$ Babujian-Takhtajan Hamiltonian. Following a procedure recently developed for the XXZ model, we explicitly construct a continuous family of quasi-local conserved operators for the periodic spin-$1$ ZF chain. Our construction is valid for a dense set of commensurate values of the anisotropy parameter in the gapless regime where the isotropic point is excluded. Using the Mazur inequality, we show that, as for the XXZ model, these quasi-local charges are enough to prove that the high-temperature spin Drude weight is non-vanishing in the thermodynamic limit, thus establishing ballistic spin transport at high temperature.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗