Dynamical phases transitions of solitonic structures in a trapped ions quantum simulator

Jamir Marino

JGU Mainz

We report on a dynamical phase transition assisted by solitons generated after a quench in a trapped ions quantum simulator [1]. Our setup realizes a non-equilibrium version of the commensurate-incommensurate transition of the Pokrovsky-Talapov field theory, which is a universal model describing condensation of solitons in a broad variety of systems ranging from cold atoms to quantum magnets. We discuss quenches modulating the incommensurability of the lattice spacing wrt to the trapping potential periodicity, finding regimes where solitons can be injected in a quantized manner. We also discuss experimentally observable regimes where solitons can scatter in an elastic and non-elastic fashion. We perform our analysis in a Truncated-Wigner approximation showing that some of the mean-field dynamical phases can be washed out by quantum fluctuations. Time permitting we will touch upon applications in coupled wires of cold atoms [2].

Reference(s)

[1] O. Chelpanova, S. Kelly, G. Morigi, F. Schmidt-Kaler, J. Marino, in preparation (2022)
[2] V. Kasper, J. Marino, S. Ji, V. Gritsev, J. Schmiedmayer, E. Demler, PRB 2020