# Non-equilibrium restoration of duality symmetry in the vicinity of the superconductor-insulator transition

## TL;DR

This paper investigates the breakdown and subsequent non-equilibrium restoration of duality symmetry near the superconductor-insulator transition in thin films, combining theoretical analysis with experimental evidence.

## Contribution

It demonstrates the restoration of duality symmetry out of equilibrium at very low temperatures where it is broken in equilibrium.

## Key findings

- Duality symmetry is broken at low temperatures in the insulating phase.
- Experimental evidence supports duality symmetry across the transition.
- Restoration of duality symmetry occurs out of equilibrium at very low temperatures.

## Abstract

The magnetic field driven superconductor to insulator transition in thin films was theoretically analyzed via a vortex-charge duality transformation applied to the Hamiltonian. Vortices condensation was conjectured as the underline physical mechanism of the insulating phase. Experimental evidence supported duality symmetry across the magnetic-field driven superconductor to insulator transition in amorphous Indium Oxide films. Counterintuitively, duality symmetry is broken at low temperatures where the insulating phase develops strongly non linear current-voltage characteristics. Here, we follow the breakdown of duality symmetry down to very low temperatures and demonstrate the restoration of duality symmetry out of equilibrium.