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First-order photon condensation in magnetic cavities: A two-leg ladder model

by Zeno Bacciconi, Gian Marcello Andolina, Titas Chanda, Giuliano Chiriacò, Marco Schiró, Marcello Dalmonte

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Submission summary

Authors (as registered SciPost users): Gian Marcello Andolina · Zeno Bacciconi · Marcello Dalmonte · Marco Schirò
Submission information
Preprint Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.09901v4  (pdf)
Code repository: https://github.com/zenobacciconi/cavity_ladder
Date accepted: 2023-07-20
Date submitted: 2023-06-14 09:00
Submitted by: Bacciconi, Zeno
Submitted to: SciPost Physics
Ontological classification
Academic field: Physics
Specialties:
  • Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics - Theory
  • Condensed Matter Physics - Theory
  • Quantum Physics
Approach: Theoretical

Abstract

We consider a model of free fermions in a ladder geometry coupled to a nonuniform cavity mode via Peierls substitution. Since the cavity mode generates a magnetic field, no-go theorems on spontaneous photon condensation do not apply, and we indeed observe a phase transition to a photon condensed phase characterized by finite circulating currents, alternatively referred to as the equilibrium superradiant phase. We consider both square and triangular ladder geometries, and characterize the transition by studying the energy structure of the system, light-matter entanglement, the properties of the photon mode, and chiral currents. The transition is of first order and corresponds to a sudden change in the fermionic band structure as well as the number of its Fermi points. Thanks to the quasi-one dimensional geometry we scrutinize the accuracy of (mean field) cavity-matter decoupling against large scale density-matrix renormalization group simulations. We find that light-matter entanglement is essential for capturing corrections to matter properties at finite sizes and for the description of the correct photon state. The latter remains Gaussian in the the thermodynamic limit both in the normal and photon condensed phases.

Author comments upon resubmission

Dear Editor,

We thank you for handling our manuscript, and the Referees for their insightful reports. We have addressed the Referees comments and suggestions in the new version of the manuscript. Below, as well as in the comments in reply to the Referees' reports, please find a list of changes.

Yours sincerely,

The Authors

List of changes

- Addition of Ref. [47] and of a sentence in the introduction (section 1) that explains it. Slight modification of the last paragraph in section 2 where Ref [47] is discussed again in the context of experimental relevance of the considered model
- Addition of Ref. [8,11] as suggested by Referee 2
- Addition of a clearer discussion in the introduction (section 1, 4th paragraph) and in the conclusions (section 5, 1st paragraph) on the necessity of a magnetic coupling to evade no-go theorems.
- Rephrasing of the sentence cited by Referee 3 (section 3.2, paragraph Magnetostatic instability) and addition of Ref. [75]

Published as SciPost Phys. 15, 113 (2023)


Reports on this Submission

Report #1 by Anonymous (Referee 2) on 2023-6-14 (Invited Report)

Report

The paper is now ready for publication.

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