Quantum quench in an atomic one-dimensional Ising chain

TL;DR

This paper investigates the non-equilibrium dynamics of a one-dimensional atomic Bose-Hubbard chain after a sudden quench near the Ising phase transition, revealing coherent oscillations and collective effects.

Contribution

It provides experimental insights into the quench dynamics near the quantum phase transition in a Bose-Hubbard chain, highlighting interaction effects and collective behavior.

Findings

Observation of coherent oscillations in Ising spin orientation

Modification of tunneling rate due to interactions

Evidence of collective effects in oscillatory response

Abstract

We study non-equilibrium dynamics for an ensemble of tilted one-dimensional atomic Bose-Hubbard chains after a sudden quench to the vicinity of the transition point of the Ising paramagnetic to anti-ferromagnetic quantum phase transition. The quench results in coherent oscillations for the orientation of effective Ising spins, detected via oscillations in the number of doubly-occupied lattice sites. We characterize the quench by varying the system parameters. We report significant modification of the tunneling rate induced by interactions and show clear evidence for collective effects in the oscillatory response.