# Quench Dynamics in 1D Optomechanical Arrays

## TL;DR

This paper explores how rapid parameter changes in 1D optomechanical arrays can induce non-equilibrium excitations, revealing potential for studying topological phase transitions and defect mode dynamics in tunable photonic-mechanical systems.

## Contribution

It demonstrates that optomechanical arrays can be used to investigate quench dynamics and topological phenomena through tunable bandstructures controlled by a laser.

## Key findings

- Optomechanical arrays can generate non-equilibrium optical and mechanical excitations.
- Bandstructure tuning enables study of topological phase transitions.
- Potential transfer of ideas to driven nonlinear cavity arrays.

## Abstract

Non-equilibrium dynamics induced by rapid changes of external parameters is relevant for a wide range of scenarios across many domains of physics. For waves in spatially periodic systems, quenches will alter the bandstructure and generate new excitations. In the case of topological bandstructures, defect modes at boundaries can be generated or destroyed when quenching through a topological phase transition. Here, we demonstrate that optomechanical arrays are a promising platform for studying such dynamics, as their bandstructure can be tuned temporally by a control laser. We study the creation of nonequilibrium optical and mechanical excitations in 1D arrays, including a bosonic version of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. These ideas can be transferred to other systems such as driven nonlinear cavity arrays.