Non-Gaussian work statistics at finite-time driving

TL;DR

This paper investigates the non-Gaussian features of work distributions in a quantum many-body system driven through a phase transition, revealing how finite-time driving influences skewness and negentropy.

Contribution

It introduces quantitative metrics for non-Gaussianity and demonstrates their application to the quantum Ising model under finite-time ramps, highlighting the intermediate regime of skewed distributions.

Findings

Finite-time ramps increase non-Gaussianity in work distribution.

Intermediate regimes show pronounced skewness between quench and adiabatic limits.

Non-Gaussianity metrics reveal detailed distribution characteristics.

Abstract

We study properties of the work distribution of a many-body system driven through a quantum phase transition in finite time. We focus on the non-Gaussianity of the distribution, which we characterize through two quantitative metrics: skewness and negentropy. In particular, we focus on the quantum Ising model and show that a finite duration of the ramp enhances the non-Gaussianity of the distribution for a finite size system. By examining the characteristics of the full distribution, we observe that there is a clear intermediate regime between the sudden quench and adiabatic limits, where the distribution becomes increasingly skewed.