Sudden change of the photon output field marks phase transitions in the quantum Rabi model

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to detect quantum phase transitions in the quantum Rabi model by observing sudden changes in the steady-state photon output, providing an accessible experimental signature without needing equilibrium state preparation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel dynamical critical phenomenon detection technique based on output photon measurements in a three-level atom-cavity system at the quantum phase transition.

Findings

Sudden change in output photons signals phase transition.

Method applicable without equilibrium state preparation.

Experimental feasibility demonstrated through photon output analysis.

Abstract

The experimental observation of quantum phase transitions predicted by the quantum Rabi model in quantum critical systems is usually challenging due to the lack of signature experimental observables associated with them. Here, we describe a method to identify the dynamical critical phenomenon in the quantum Rabi model consisting of a three-level atom and a cavity at the quantum phase transition. Such a critical phenomenon manifests itself as a sudden change of steady-state output photons in the system driven by two classical fields, when both the atom and the cavity are initially unexcited. The process occurs as the high-frequency pump field is converted into the low-frequency Stokes field and multiple cavity photons in the normal phase, while this conversion cannot occur in the superradiant phase. The sudden change of steady-state output photons is an experimentally accessible measure to probe quantum phase transitions, as it does not require preparing the equilibrium state.