Dynamical phase transitions in the current distribution of driven diffusive channels

TL;DR

This paper investigates phase transitions in the current distribution of driven diffusive systems, identifying conditions for first and second order transitions and providing an exact solution for a symmetry-breaking model.

Contribution

It derives Landau theories for phase transitions in current large deviations and analyzes these phenomena in different statistical ensembles.

Findings

First-order transitions occur without particle-hole symmetry.

Second-order transitions are linked to symmetry breaking.

An exact solution for a model with second-order symmetry-breaking transition is provided.

Abstract

We study singularities in the large deviation function of the time-averaged current of diffusive systems connected to two reservoirs. A set of conditions for the occurrence of phase transitions, both first and second order, are obtained by deriving Landau theories. First-order transitions occur in the absence of a particle-hole symmetry, while second-order occur in its presence and are associated with a symmetry breaking. The analysis is done in two distinct statistical ensembles, shedding light on previous results. In addition, we also provide an exact solution of a model exhibiting a second-order symmetry-breaking transition.