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arXiv · 1310.1600

Universality of Phase Transition Dynamics: Topological Defects from Symmetry Breaking

Adolfo del Campo·Wojciech H. Zurek
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Abstract

In the course of a non-equilibrium continuous phase transition, the dynamics ceases to be adiabatic in the vicinity of the critical point as a result of the critical slowing down (the divergence of the relaxation time in the neighborhood of the critical point). This enforces a local choice of the broken symmetry and can lead to the formation of topological defects. The Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM) was developed to describe the associated nonequilibrium dynamics and to estimate the density of defects as a function of the quench rate through the transition. During recent years, several new experiments investigating formation of defects in phase transitions induced by a quench both in classical and quantum mechanical systems were carried out. At the same time, some established results were called into question. We review and analyze the Kibble-Zurek mechanism focusing in particular on this surge of activity, and suggest possible directions for further progress.

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Adolfo del Campo, Wojciech H. Zurek. 2013-10-06. Universality of Phase Transition Dynamics: Topological Defects from Symmetry Breaking. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0217751x1430018x

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