Dynamical quantum phase transitions in non-Hermitian lattices

TL;DR

This paper investigates dynamical quantum phase transitions in non-Hermitian lattices, revealing topological signatures and introducing a winding number that quantifies these transitions during quenches across exceptional points.

Contribution

It introduces a topological winding number based on a real geometric phase to characterize dynamical phase transitions in non-Hermitian systems.

Findings

Dynamical phase transitions occur when crossing exceptional points.

Quantized jumps in the winding number mark critical times.

The framework links topological invariants to nonunitary dynamics.

Abstract

In closed quantum systems, a dynamical phase transition is identified by nonanalytic behaviors of the return probability as a function of time. In this work, we study the nonunitary dynamics following quenches across exceptional points in a non-Hermitian lattice realized by optical resonators. Dynamical quantum phase transitions with topological signatures are found when an isolated exceptional point is crossed during the quench. A topological winding number defined by a real, noncyclic geometric phase is introduced, whose value features quantized jumps at critical times of these phase transitions and remains constant elsewhere, mimicking the plateau transitions in quantum Hall effects. This work provides a simple framework to study dynamical and topological responses in non-Hermitian systems.