Phase Transitions and Conductivties of Floquet Fluids

TL;DR

This paper explores the phase structure and conductivity of a relativistic fluid under circulating electric and magnetic fields, predicting a measurable phase transition characterized by a discontinuous change in Hall conductivity, relevant for graphene experiments.

Contribution

It identifies a novel phase transition in driven relativistic fluids and links it to observable conductivity changes, extending understanding of non-equilibrium fluid dynamics.

Findings

Distinct fluid behaviors identified as a function of driving frequency

Predicted a discontinuous jump in Hall conductivity at the phase transition

The transition's observability depends on system preparation and boundary conditions

Abstract

We investigate the phase structure and conductivity of a relativistic fluid in a circulating electric field with a transverse magnetic field. This system exhibits behavior similar to other driven systems such as strongly coupled driven CFTs [Rangamani2015] or a simple anharmonic oscillator. We identify distinct regions of fluid behavior as a function of driving frequency, and argue that a "phase" transition will occur. Such a transition could be measurable in graphene, and may be characterized by sudden discontinuous increase in the Hall conductivity. The presence of the discontinuity depends on how the boundary is approached as the frequency or amplitude is dialed. In the region where two solution exists the measured conductivity will depend on how the system is prepared.