Probing the quantum phase transition in the Dicke model through mechanical vibrations

TL;DR

This paper investigates the quantum phase transition in the Dicke model by coupling it with a movable mirror, revealing that the super-radiant phase exerts a classical force on the mirror without decoherence.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to probe the Dicke model's quantum phase transition via mechanical vibrations in an optomechanical setup.

Findings

Super-radiant phase induces a classical force on the mirror

No decoherence occurs during the phase transition

Mechanical vibrations can serve as probes for quantum criticality

Abstract

This paper is concerned with quantum dynamics of a system coupled to a critical reservoir. In this context, we employ the Dicke model which is known to exhibit a super radiant quantum phase transition (QPT) and we allow one of the mirrors to move under a linear restoring force. The electromagnetic field couples to the movable mirror though radiation pressure just like in typical optomechanical setups. We show that, in the thermodynamical limit, the super-radiant phase induces a classical driving force on the mirror without causing decoherence.