arXiv subjects

Utso Bhattacharya

Publications and source records attributed to Utso Bhattacharya.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Observation of magnetic quantum phase crossovers in a semiconductor spin ladder

Understanding collective phases of strongly correlated quantum magnets relies on theoretically tractable model systems with precise microscopic control. Antiferromagnetic spin ladders provide such a setting, hosting field-tunable gapped and gapless phases at half filling and unconventional pairing tendencies upon doping. Here, we realize a programmable Heisenberg spin ladder in a half-filled germanium quantum dot array featuring site-resolved, continuously tunable exchange interactions. Under a fixed magnetic field, we vary the rung and leg coupling to map the rung-singlet, canted antiferromagnetic, and fully polarized phases. Hamiltonian-learning protocols combining equilibrium and dynamical measurements quantitatively characterize the ladder, incorporating spin-orbit interactions to reproduce the observed crossover behavior. Measurements of higher-order spin correlators -- including four-point correlations inaccessible to conventional bulk probes -- reveal signatures of the underlying phase structure despite the finite size. Our results establish germanium quantum dot arrays as a controllable platform for quantum magnetism, opening routes to investigate unconventional superconductivity in doped ladders.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2025

A Hybrid Anyon-Otto thermal machine

We propose a four-stroke quantum thermal machine based on the 1D anyon Hubbard model, which is capable of extracting the excess energy arising from anyon exclusion statistics at low temperature into finite work. Defining a hybrid anyon-Otto (HAO) cycle, we find that the low-temperature work, in the absence of any interactions, is maximized in the pseudo-fermionic limit, where the anyons most closely resemble free fermions. However, when weak interactions are introduced, the work output is no longer maximized at the bosonic or pseudo-fermionic extremes but instead peaks at intermediate statistical angles. This clearly demonstrates that interactions and anyonic statistics conspire non-trivially to enhance performance, with interacting anyons offering greater quantum thermodynamic advantage than either bosons or pseudo-fermions, in this regime. Furthermore, we also outline an experimental protocol to realize the HAO cycle using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2025

Anomalous fluctuations of Bose-Einstein condensates in optical lattices

Fluctuations are fundamental in physics and important for understanding and characterizing phase transitions. In this spirit, the phase transition to the Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) is of specific importance. Whereas fluctuations of the condensate particle number in atomic BECs have been studied in continuous systems, experimental and theoretical studies for lattice systems were so far missing. Here, we explore the condensate particle number fluctuations in an optical lattice BEC across the phase transition in a combined experimental and theoretical study. We present both experimental data using ultracold $^{87}$Rb atoms and numerical simulations based on a hybrid approach combining the Bogoliubov quasiparticle framework with a master equation analysis for modeling the system. We find strongly anomalous fluctuations, where the variance of the condensate number $\delta N_{\rm BEC}^2$ scales with the total atom number as $N^{1+\gamma}$ with an exponent around $\gamma_{\rm theo}=0.74$ and $\gamma_{\rm exp}=0.62$, which we attribute to the 2D/3D crossover geometry and the interactions. Our study highlights the importance of the trap geometry on the character of fluctuations and on fundamental quantum mechanical properties.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2025

Contemporary tensor network approaches to gapless and topological phases in an extended Bose-Hubbard ladder

The development of numerically efficient computational methods has facilitated in depth studies of various correlated phases of matter including critical and topological phases. A quantum Monte-Carlo study of an extended Bose-Hubbard ladder has recently been used to identify an exotic phase with hidden order, where superfluid correlations coexist with string order, dubbed a Haldane superfluid (HSF). However, finite-size methods can struggle to uniquely determine the boundaries of quasi-long-range ordered states with nonlocal, e.g. string-like, correlations. In the present Letter, we revisit the HSF scenario using tensor network algorithms specialized for finite/infinite (quasi-)1D systems, \textit{i.e.} the well-governed finite-size density matrix renormalization group (DMRG), and the state-of-the-art infinite-size variational uniform matrix product state (VUMPS) methods. While DMRG results extrapolated to the thermodynamic limit are compatible with a putative HSF, the results from the VUMPS calculations provide sharper phase boundaries that leave no room for such a topological superfluid. Our results demonstrate the crucial advantage of the VUMPS in characterizing topological and critical interacting phases providing the precise phase boundaries.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2024

Revealing the anisotropic charge-density-wave order of TiSe$_2$ through high harmonic generation

Titanium diselenide (TiSe$_{2}$) is a transition-metal dichalcogenide material that undergoes a charge-density-wave (CDW) transition at $T_{c}\approx 200\,\mathrm{K}$. In a recent experiment [I. Tyulnev {\it et al.}, Commun. Mater. 6, 152 (2025)], the high harmonic generation (HHG) spectra of this material has been studied, which exhibits asymmetric behavior with respect to the polarization angle of the incident light and provides a new perspective to the CDW phase transition. In this work, we work out a theoretical explanation for the experimentally observed behavior of HHG spectra. We propose a simplified phenomenological mean-field model for this material, based on which the HHG spectra is calculated through the time-dependent Schr{\" o}dinger equation. This model correctly describes the measured intensity distribution of the third-, fifth-, and seventh-order harmonic generation as a function of polarization direction and reveals a strong asymmetry due to the anisotropic CDW order in the low temperature phase. Our work provides a basis for applying high harmonic spectroscopy to reveal a new perspective on the nature of CDW orders.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

High harmonic spectroscopy reveals anisotropy of the Mott to Charge-Density-Wave phase transition in TiSe$_2$

This work explores the use of polarization-resolved high harmonic generation (HHG) spectroscopy to investigate the quantum phases and transitions in the correlated charge density wave (CDW) phase of TiSe$_2$. Unlike previous studies focusing on crystallographic changes, the research examines the reordering that occurs within the CDW phase as the material is cooled from room temperature to 14 K. By linking ultrafast field-driven dynamics to the material's potential landscape, the study demonstrates how HHG is sensitive to quantum phase transitions. The findings reveal an anisotropic component below the CDW transition temperature, providing new insights into the nature of this phase. The investigation highlights the interplay between linear and nonlinear optical responses and their departure from simple perturbative dynamics, offering a fresh perspective on correlated quantum phases in condensed matter systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Colloquium: Synthetic quantum matter in non-standard geometries

Quantum simulation is making a significant impact on scientific research. The prevailing tendency of the field is to build quantum simulators that get closer to real-world systems of interest, in particular electronic materials. However, progress in the microscopic design also provides an opportunity for an orthogonal research direction: building quantum many-body systems beyond real-world limitations. This colloquium takes this perspective: Concentrating on synthetic quantum matter in non-standard lattice geometries, such as fractal lattices or quasicrystals, higher-dimensional or curved spaces, it aims at providing a fresh introduction to the field of quantum simulation aligned with recent trends across various quantum simulation platforms, including atomic, photonic, and electronic devices. We also shine light on the novel phenomena which arise from these geometries: Condensed matter physicists may appreciate the variety of different localization properties as well as novel topological phases which are offered by such exotic quantum simulators. But also in the search of quantum models for gravity and cosmology, quantum simulators of curved spaces can provide a useful experimental tool.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

High Harmonic Tracking of Ultrafast Electron Dynamics across the Mott to Charge Density Wave Phase Transition

Different insulator phases compete with each other in strongly correlated materials with simultaneous local and non-local interactions. It is known that the homogeneous Mott insulator converts into a charge density wave (CDW) phase when the non-local interactions are increased, but there is ongoing debate on whether and in which parameter regimes this transition is of first order, or of second order with an intermediate bond-order wave phase. Here we show that strong-field optics applied to an extended Fermi-Hubbard system can serve as a powerful tool to reveal the nature of the quantum phase transition. Specifically, we show that in the strongly interacting regime characteristic excitations such as excitons, biexcitons, excitonic strings, and charge droplets can be tracked by the non-linear optical response to an ultrafast and intense laser pulse. Subcycle analysis of high harmonic spectra unravels the ultrafast dynamics of these increasingly complex objects, which partially escape the scrutiny of linear optics. Their appearance in the high harmonic spectrum provides striking evidence of a first-order transition into the CDW phase, and makes a strong case for using strong-field optics as a powerful tool to reveal the nature of quasiparticles in strongly correlated matter, and to track the electron dynamics during a first-order quantum phase transition.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Observing quantum many-body scars in random quantum circuits

The Schwinger model describes quantum electrodynamics in 1+1-dimensions, it is a prototype for quantum chromodynamics, and its lattice version allows for a quantum link model description that can be simulated using modern quantum devices. In this work, we devise quantum simulations to investigate the dynamics of this model in its low dimensional form, where the gauge field degrees of freedom are described by spin 1/2 operators. We apply trotterization to write quantum circuits that effectively generate the evolution under the Schwinger model Hamiltonian. We consider both sequential circuits, with a fixed gate sequence, and randomized ones. Utilizing the correspondence between the Schwinger model and the PXP model, known for its quantum scars, we investigate the presence of quantum scar states in the Schwinger model by identifying states exhibiting extended thermalization times in our circuit evolutions. Our comparison of sequential and randomized circuit dynamics shows that the non-thermal sector of the Hilbert space, including the scars, are more sensitive to randomization.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Decoupled few-femtosecond phase transitions in vanadium dioxide

The nature of the insulator-to-metal phase transition in vanadium dioxide (VO2) is one of the longest-standing problems in condensed-matter physics. Ultrafast spectroscopy has long promised to determine whether the transition is primarily driven by the electronic or structural degree of freedom, but measurements to date have been stymied by their sensitivity to only one of these components and/or their limited temporal resolution. Here we use ultra-broadband few-femtosecond pump-probe spectroscopy to resolve the electronic and structural phase transitions in VO2 at their fundamental time scales. We find that the system transforms into a bad-metallic phase within 10 fs after photoexcitation, but requires another 100 fs to complete the transition, during which we observe electronic oscillations and a partial re-opening of the bandgap, signalling a transient semi-metallic state. Comparisons with tensor-network simulations and density-functional theory calculations show these features originate from oscillations around the equilibrium high-symmetry atomic positions during an unprecedentedly fast structural transition, in which the vanadium dimers separate and untwist with two different timescales. Our results resolve the complete structural and electronic nature of the light-induced phase transition in VO2 and establish ultra-broadband few-femtosecond spectroscopy as a powerful new tool for studying quantum materials out of equilibrium.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Light-induced phase transitions in vanadium dioxide: a tensor network study

Nonequilibrium phase transitions driven by light pulses represent a rapidly developing field in condensed matter physics. As one of the archetypal strongly correlated materials, vanadium dioxide (VO2) undergoes a structural phase transition (SPT) from a monoclinic (M1) to rutile (R) structure and an insulator-to-metal transition (IMT) either when heated above 340 K or when excited by an ultrafast laser pulse. Here, we present a tensor network study of the light-induced phase transitions in VO2 based on a quasi-one-dimensional model with all the important ingredients -- multi-orbital character, electron-lattice coupling, and electron-electron correlations -- being included. We show that this model qualitatively captures the equilibrium properties of VO2 by calculating the ground state phase diagram and finite-temperature phase transitions. A hybrid quantum-classical tensor-network method is used to simulate the dynamics following photoexcitation. We find that the structure can transform faster than the harmonic phonon modes of M1 phase, suggesting lattice nonlinearity is key in the SPT. We also find separate timescales for the evolution of dimerization and tilt distortions in the lattice dynamics, as well as the loss and subsequent partial restoration behavior of the displacements, which can provide an explanation for the complex dynamics observed in recent experiments [C. Brahms et al., arXiv:XXXX.XXXXX]. Moreover, decoupled SPT and IMT dynamics are observed in the numerical simulations: while the initial M1 structure transforms to the R one in tens of femtoseconds, the IMT occurs quasi-instantaneously, consistent with recent experimental findings. Our theoretical studies provide insight into the light-induced phase transitions of VO2, revealing unexpected non-monotonic transformation pathways and paving the way for future studies of non-thermal phase transformations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Anomalous quantum transport in fractal lattices

Fractal lattices are self-similar structures with repeated patterns on different scales. As in other aperiodic lattices, the absence of translational symmetry can give rise to quantum localization effects. In contrast to low-dimensional disordered systems, co-existence of localized and extended states is possible in fractal structures, and can lead to subtle transport behavior. Here, we study the dynamical properties of two fractal lattices, the Sierpi\'nski gasket and the Sierpi\'nski carpet. Despite their geometric similarity, the transport turns out to behave very differently: In the Sierpi\'nski gasket, we find a sub-diffusive behavior, whereas the Sierpi\'nski carpet exhibits sub-ballistic transport properties. We show that the different dynamical behavior is in line with qualitative differences of the systems' spectral properties. Specifically, in contrast to the Sierpi\'nski carpet, the Sierpi\'nski gasket exhibits an inverse power-law behavior of the level spacing distribution. From the point of view of technological applications, we demonstrate that the sub-diffusive behavior in the Sierpi\'nski gasket can be used as a quantum memory. By interpolating between fractal and regular lattices, a flexible tuning between different transport regimes becomes possible.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Topological quantum thermometry

An optimal local quantum thermometer is a quantum many-body system that saturates the fundamental lower bound for the thermal state temperature estimation accuracy [L. Correa, et. al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 220405 (2015)]. Such a thermometer has a particular energy level structure with a single ground state and highly degenerated excited states manifold, with an energy gap proportional to the estimated temperature. In this work, we show that the optimal local quantum thermometer can be realized in an experimentally feasible system of spinless fermions confined in a one-dimensional optical lattice described by the Rice-Mele model. We characterize the system's sensitivity to temperature changes in terms of quantum Fisher information and the classical Fisher information obtained from experimentally available site occupation measurements.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Synthetic dimensions for topological and quantum phases: Perspective

In this Perspective article we report on recent progress on studies of synthetic dimensions, mostly, but not only, based on the research realized around the Barcelona groups (ICFO, UAB), Donostia (DIPC), Pozna\'n (UAM), Krak\'ow (UJ), and Allahabad (HRI). The concept of synthetic dimensions works particularly well in atomic physics, quantum optics, and photonics, where the internal degrees of freedom (Zeeman sublevels of the ground state, metastable excited states, or motional states for atoms, and angular momentum states or transverse modes for photons) provide the synthetic space. We describe our attempts to design quantum simulators with synthetic dimensions, to mimic curved spaces, artificial gauge fields, lattice gauge theories, twistronics, quantum random walks, and more.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Unraveling Multifractality and Mobility Edges in Quasiperiodic Aubry-Andr\'e-Harper Chains through High-Harmonic Generation

Quasicrystals are fascinating and important because of their unconventional atomic arrangements, which challenge traditional notions of crystalline structures. Unlike regular crystals, they lack translational symmetry and generate unique mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, holding promise for numerous applications. In order to probe the electronic properties of quasicrystals, tools beyond linear response transport measurements are needed, since all spectral regions can be affected by the non-periodic geometry. Here we show that high-harmonic spectroscopy offers an advanced avenue for this goal. Focusing on the quasiperiodic 1D Aubry-Andr\'e-Harper (AAH) model, we leverage high-harmonic spectroscopy to delve into their intricate characteristics: By carefully analyzing emitted harmonic intensities, we extract the multifractal spectrum -- an essential indicator of the spatial distribution of electronic states in quasicrystals. Additionally, we address the detection of mobility edges, vital energy thresholds that demarcate localized and extended eigenstates within generalized AAH models. The precise identification of these mobility edges sheds light on the metal-insulator transition and the behavior of electronic states near these boundaries. Merging high-harmonic spectroscopy with the AAH model provides a powerful framework for understanding the interplay between localization and extended states in quasicrystals for an extremely wide energy range not captured within linear response studies, thereby offering valuable insights for guiding future experimental investigations.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2023

Competing order in two-band Bose-Hubbard chains with extended-range interactions

Motivated by the recent progress in realizing and controlling extended Bose-Hubbard systems using excitonic or atomic devices, the present Letter theoretically investigates the case of a two-band Bose-Hubbard chain with nearest-neighbor interactions. Specifically, this study concentrates on the scenario where, due to the interactions, one band supports a density wave phase, i.e. a correlated insulating phase with spontaneous breaking of translational symmetry in the lattice, while the other band supports superfluid behavior. Using the density matrix renormalization group method, we show that supersolid order can emerge from such a combination, that is, an elusive quantum state that combines crystalline order with long-range phase coherence. Depending on the filling of the bands and the interband interaction strength, the supersolid phase competes with phase-separation, superfluid order, or Mott insulating density-wave order. As a possible setup to observe supersolidity, we propose the combination of a lower band supporting density-wave order and a thermally excited band that supports superfluidity due to weaker lattice confinement.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2023

Topological phase detection through high-harmonic spectroscopy in extended Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chains

Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) chains are paradigmatic examples of 1D topological insulators hosting zero-energy edge modes when the bulk of the system has a non-zero topological winding invariant. Recently, high-harmonic spectroscopy has been suggested as a tool for detecting the topological phase. Specifically, it has been shown that when the SSH chain is coupled to an external laser field of a frequency much smaller than the band gap, the emitted light at harmonic frequencies strongly differs between the trivial and the topological phase. However, it remains unclear whether various non-trivial topological phases -- differing in the number of edge states -- can also be distinguished by the high harmonic generation (HHG). In this paper, we investigate this problem by studying an extended version of the SSH chain with extended-range hoppings, resulting in a topological model with different topological phases. We explicitly show that HHG spectra are a sensitive and suitable tool for distinguishing topological phases when there is more than one topological phase. We also propose a quantitative scheme based on tuning the filling of the system to precisely locate the number of edge modes in each topological phase of this chain.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Steady-state Quantum Thermodynamics with Synthetic Negative Temperatures

A bath with a negative temperature is a subject of intense debate in recent times. It raises fundamental questions not only on our understanding of negative temperature of a bath in connection with thermodynamics but also on the possibilities of constructing devices using such baths. In this work, we study steady-state quantum thermodynamics involving baths with negative temperatures. A bath with a negative temperature is created synthetically using two baths of positive temperatures and weakly coupling these with a qutrit system. These baths are then coupled to each other via a working system. At steady-state, the laws of thermodynamics are analyzed. We find that whenever the temperatures of these synthetic baths are identical, there is no heat flow, which reaffirms the zeroth law. There is always a spontaneous heat flow for different temperatures. In particular, heat flows from a bath with a negative temperature to a bath with a positive temperature which, in turn, implies that a bath with a negative temperature is `hotter' than a bath with a positive temperature. This warrants an amendment in the Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law, as suggested in earlier studies. In all these processes, the overall entropy production is positive, as required by the Clausius statement of the second law. We construct continuous heat engines operating between positive and negative temperature baths. These engines yield maximum possible heat-to-work conversion efficiency, that is, unity. We also study the thermodynamic nature of heat from a bath with a negative temperature and find that it is thermodynamic work but with negative entropy.

quant-ph↗