Exactness of mean-field equations for open Dicke models with an application to pattern retrieval dynamics

TL;DR

This paper proves the validity of mean-field equations for open multimode Dicke models, enabling analysis of their complex dynamics and revealing their potential as associative memories with phase transitions.

Contribution

It rigorously establishes the exactness of mean-field equations for open multimode Dicke models, a previously unproven result, and explores their pattern recognition capabilities.

Findings

Mean-field equations are valid for open multimode Dicke models.

Open Dicke models can function as associative memories.

Identification of a nonequilibrium phase transition for pattern recognition.

Abstract

Open quantum Dicke models are paradigmatic systems for the investigation of light-matter interaction in out-of-equilibrium quantum settings. Albeit being structurally simple, these models can show intriguing physics. However, obtaining exact results on their dynamical behavior is challenging, since it requires the solution of a many-body quantum system, with several interacting continuous and discrete degrees of freedom. Here, we make a step forward in this direction by proving the validity of the mean-field semi-classical equations for open multimode Dicke models, which, to the best of our knowledge, so far has not been rigorously established. We exploit this result to show that open quantum multimode Dicke models can behave as associative memories, displaying a nonequilibrium phase transition towards a pattern-recognition phase.