Anomalous Dynamical Scaling at Topological Quantum Criticality

TL;DR

This paper investigates how topological edge modes induce anomalous dynamical scaling at quantum critical points, revealing unique boundary behavior beyond standard models in driven quantum systems.

Contribution

It uncovers anomalous boundary scaling at topological quantum critical points, extending understanding of nonequilibrium dynamics in topologically nontrivial systems.

Findings

Bulk dynamics follow standard Kibble Zurek scaling.

Boundary dynamics exhibit modified, anomalous scaling.

Anomalous scaling is exclusive to topological criticality.

Abstract

We study the nonequilibrium driven dynamics at topologically nontrivial quantum critical points (QCPs), and find that topological edge modes at criticality give rise to anomalous dynamical scaling behavior. By analyzing the driven dynamics of bulk and boundary order parameters at topologically distinct QCPs in quantum spin chains, we demonstrate that, while the bulk dynamics remain indistinguishable and follow standard Kibble Zurek (KZ) scaling, the anomalous boundary dynamics are unique to topological criticality, obeying modified scaling relation beyond the traditional KZ framework. To elucidate the unified origin of this anomaly, we further study the dynamics of defect production at topologically distinct QCPs in free-fermion models and demonstrate similar anomalous scaling exclusive to topological criticality. These findings establish the existence of anomalous dynamical scaling arising from the interplay between topology and driven dynamics, challenging standard paradigms of quantum critical dynamics.