Dynamical self-stabilization of the Mott insulator: Time evolution of the density and entanglement entropy of out-of-equilibrium cold fermion gases

TL;DR

This paper numerically investigates the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of a Mott insulator in cold fermion gases, revealing a self-stabilizing behavior and linking entanglement entropy changes to phase transitions beyond equilibrium.

Contribution

It demonstrates the self-stabilization of the out-of-equilibrium Mott insulator and extends the entanglement entropy-phase relationship to dynamic regimes.

Findings

Self-induced stability of the Mott insulator during out-of-equilibrium evolution

Extension of entanglement entropy-phase connection to non-equilibrium states

Analysis of long-time behavior and thermalization limits

Abstract

The time evolution of the out-of-equilibrium Mott insulator is investigated numerically through calculations of space-time resolved density and entropy profiles resulting from the release of a gas of ultracold fermionic atoms from an optical trap. For adiabatic, moderate and sudden switching-off of the trapping potential, the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of the Mott insulator is found to differ profoundly from that of the band insulator and the metallic phase, displaying a self-induced stability that is robust within a wide range of densities, system sizes and interaction strengths. The connection between the entanglement entropy and changes of phase, known for equilibrium situations, is found to extend to the out-of-equilibrium regime. Finally, the relation between the system's long time behavior and the thermalization limit is analyzed.