Geometric phase effects in dynamics near conical intersections: Symmetry breaking and spatial localization

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that systems with conical intersections can undergo spontaneous symmetry breaking leading to localized eigenstates due to geometric phase effects, affecting quantum nuclear dynamics.

Contribution

It reveals a novel geometric phase-induced localization phenomenon and its robustness, linking symmetry breaking to quantum dynamics near conical intersections.

Findings

Localization of eigenstates due to geometric phase

Robustness of localization against parameter changes

Slowing down of quantum nuclear dynamics at low temperatures

Abstract

We show that finite systems with conical intersections can exhibit spontaneous symmetry breaking which manifests itself in spatial localization of eigenstates. This localization has a geometric phase origin and is robust against variation of model parameters. The transition between localized and delocalized eigenstate regimes resembles a continuous phase transition. The localization slows down the low-energy quantum nuclear dynamics at zero and low temperatures.