Physics (Internal)

Shortcuts to adiabaticity across a phase transition

This event is part of the Condensed Matter Theory Seminar Series.

Abstract: In the course of a non-equilibrium continuous phase transition, the dynamics ceases to be adiabatic in the vicinity of the critical point as a result of the critical slowing down (the divergence of the relaxation time in the neighborhood of the critical point). This enforces a local choice of the broken symmetry and can lead to the formation of excitations, including topological defects. Recently, a variety of techniques known as shortcuts to adiabaticity has been introduced to design driving protocols that mimic adiabatic dynamics, e.g., in the preparation of a target state. We shall explore the use of shortcuts to adiabaticity to tailor the dynamics across a critical point and suppress defect formation.