A scaling theory of quantum breakdown in solids

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new scaling theory for quantum breakdown phenomena in solids, framing it as a quantum phase transition, and applies it to various breakdown types including Landau-Zener and Zener in Anderson insulators.

Contribution

It develops a general scaling framework for quantum breakdown phenomena, connecting them to quantum phase transitions and extending its application to different breakdown scenarios.

Findings

Breakdown phenomena can be viewed as quantum phase transitions.

The scaling theory applies to Landau-Zener and Zener breakdowns.

Discussion of quantum quenching within the new framework.

Abstract

We propose a new scaling theory for general quantum breakdown phenomena. We show, taking Landau-Zener type breakdown as a particular example, that the breakdown phenomena can be viewed as a quantum phase transition for which the scaling theory is developed. The application of this new scaling theory to Zener type breakdown in Anderson insulators, and quantum quenching has been discussed.