arXiv subjects

Robert Sims

Publications and source records attributed to Robert Sims.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

On Quasi-Locality and Decay of Correlations for Long-Range Models of Open Quantum Spin Systems

We consider models of open quantum spin systems with irreversible dynamics and show that general quasi-locality results for long-range models, e.g. as proven for the Heisenberg dynamics associated to quantum systems in [27], naturally extend to this setting. Given these bounds, we provide two applications. First, we use these results to obtain estimates on a strictly local approximation of these finite-volume, irreversible dynamics. Next, we show how these bounds can be used to estimate correlation decay in various states.

math-ph↗

arXiv2024

Entanglement bounds for single-excitation energy eigenstates of quantum oscillator systems

We provide an analytic method for estimating the entanglement of the non-gaussian energy eigenstates of disordered harmonic oscillator systems. We invoke the explicit formulas of the eigenstates of the oscillator systems to establish bounds for their $\epsilon$-R\'enyi entanglement entropy $\epsilon\in(0,1)$. Our methods result in a logarithmically corrected area law for the entanglement of eigenstates, corresponding to one excitation, of the disordered harmonic oscillator systems.

math-ph↗

arXiv2021

Stability of the bulk gap for frustration-free topologically ordered quantum lattice systems

We prove that uniformly small short-range perturbations do not close the bulk gap above the ground state of frustration-free quantum spin systems that satisfy a standard local topological quantum order condition. In contrast with earlier results, we do not require a positive lower bound for finite-system Hamiltonians uniform in the system size. To obtain this result, we adapt the Bravyi-Hastings-Michalakis strategy to the GNS representation of the infinite-system ground state.

math-ph↗

arXiv2020

Quasi-Locality Bounds for Quantum Lattice Systems. Part II. Perturbations of Frustration-Free Spin Models with Gapped Ground States

We study the stability with respect to a broad class of perturbations of gapped ground state phases of quantum spin systems defined by frustration-free Hamiltonians. The core result of this work is a proof using the Bravyi-Hastings-Michalakis (BHM) strategy that under a condition of Local Topological Quantum Order, the bulk gap is stable under perturbations that decay at long distances faster than a stretched exponential. Compared to previous work we expand the class of frustration-free quantum spin models that can be handled to include models with more general boundary conditions, and models with discrete symmetry breaking. Detailed estimates allow us to formulate sufficient conditions for the validity of positive lower bounds for the gap that are uniform in the system size and that are explicit to some degree. We provide a survey of the BHM strategy following the approach of Michalakis and Zwolak, with alterations introduced to accommodate more general than just periodic boundary conditions and more general lattices. We express the fundamental condition known as LTQO by means of the notion of indistinguishability radius, which we introduce. Using the uniform finite-volume results we then proceed to study the thermodynamic limit. We first study the case of a unique limiting ground state and then also consider models with spontaneous breaking of a discrete symmetry. In the latter case, LTQO cannot hold for all local observables. However, for perturbations that preserve the symmetry, we show stability of the gap and the structure of the broken symmetry phases. We prove that the GNS Hamiltonian associated with each pure state has a non-zero spectral gap above the ground state.

math-ph↗

arXiv2019

Lieb-Robinson bounds and strongly continuous dynamics for a class of many-body fermion systems in $\mathbb{R}^d$

We introduce a class of UV-regularized two-body interactions for fermions in $\mathbb{R}^d$ and prove a Lieb-Robinson estimate for the dynamics of this class of many-body systems. As a step toward this result, we also prove a propagation bound of Lieb-Robinson type for Schr\"odinger operators. We apply the propagation bound to prove the existence of infinite-volume dynamics as a strongly continuous group of automorphisms on the CAR algebra.

math-ph↗

arXiv2019

A Zero-Parameter Extension of General Relativity with Varying Cosmological Constant

We provide a new extension of general relativity (GR) which has the remarkable property of being more constrained than GR plus a cosmological constant, having one less free parameter. This is implemented by allowing the cosmological constant to have a consistent space-time variation, through coding its dynamics in the torsion tensor. We demonstrate this mechanism by adding a `quasi-topological' term to the Einstein action, which naturally realizes a dynamical torsion with an automatic satisfaction of the Bianchi identities. Moreover, variation of the action with respect to this dynamical $\Lambda$ fixes it in terms of other variables, thus providing a scenario with less freedom than general relativity with a cosmological constant. Once matter is introduced, at least in the homogeneous and isotropic reduction, $\Lambda$ is uniquely determined by the field content of the model. We make an explicit construction using the Palatini formulation of GR and describe the striking properties of this new theory. We also highlight some possible extensions to the theory. A companion paper [1] explores the Friedmann--Robertson--Walker reduction for cosmology, and future work will study Solar System tests of the theory.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

The cosmology of minimal varying Lambda theories

Inserting a varying Lambda in Einstein's field equations can be made consistent with the Bianchi identities by allowing for torsion, without the need to add scalar field degrees of freedom. In the minimal such theory, Lambda is totally free and undetermined by the field equations in the absence of matter. Inclusion of matter ties Lambda algebraically to it, at least when homogeneity and isotropy are assumed, i.e. when there is no Weyl curvature. We show that Lambda is proportional to the matter density, with a proportionality constant depending on the equation of state. Unfortunately, the proportionality constant becomes infinite for pure radiation, ruling out the minimal theory prima facie despite of its novel internal consistency. It is possible to generalize the theory still without the addition of kinetic terms, leading to a new algebraically-enforced proportionality between Lambda and the matter density. Lambda and radiation may now coexist in a form consistent with Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, though this places strict constraints on the single free parameter of the theory, $\theta$. In the matter epoch Lambda behaves just like a dark matter component. Its density is proportional to the baryonic and/or dark matter, and its presence and gravitational effects would need to be included in accounting for the necessary dark matter in our Universe. This is a companion paper to Ref. [1] where the underlying gravitational theory is developed in detail.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2018

On the Regime of Localized Excitations for Disordered Oscillator Systems

We study quantum oscillator lattice systems with disorder, in arbitrary dimension, requiring only partial localization of the associated effective one-particle Hamiltonian. This leads to a many-body localized regime of excited states with arbitrarily large energy density. We prove zero-velocity Lieb-Robinson bounds for the dynamics of Weyl operators as well as for position and momentum operators restricted to this regime. Dynamical localization is also shown in the form of quasi-locality of the time evolution of local Weyl operators and through exponential clustering of the dynamic correlations of states with localized excitations.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

Quasi-Locality Bounds for Quantum Lattice Systems. Part I. Lieb-Robinson Bounds, Quasi-Local Maps, and Spectral Flow Automorphisms

Lieb-Robinson bounds show that the speed of propagation of information under the Heisenberg dynamics in a wide class of non-relativistic quantum lattice systems is essentially bounded. We review work of the past dozen years that has turned this fundamental result into a powerful tool for analyzing quantum lattice systems. We introduce a unified framework for a wide range of applications by studying quasi-locality properties of general classes of maps defined on the algebra of local observables of quantum lattice systems. We also consider a number of generalizations that include systems with an infinite-dimensional Hilbert space at each lattice site and Hamiltonians that may involve unbounded on-site contributions. These generalizations require replacing the operator norm topology with the strong operator topology in a number of basic results for the dynamics of quantum lattice systems. The main results in this paper form the basis for a detailed proof of the stability of gapped ground state phases of frustration-free models satisfying a Local Topological Quantum Order condition, which we present in a sequel to this paper.

math-ph↗

arXiv2018

Hidden-Sector Modifications to Gravitational Waves From Binary Inspirals

Gravitational wave astronomy has placed strong constraints on fundamental physics, and there is every expectation that future observations will continue to do so. In this work we quantify this expectation for future binary merger observations to constrain hidden sectors, such as scalar-tensor gravity or dark matter, which induce a Yukawa-type modification to the gravitational potential. We explicitly compute the gravitational waveform, and perform a Fisher information matrix analysis to estimate the sensitivity of next generation gravitational wave detectors to these modifications. We find an optimal sensitivity to the Yukawa interaction strength of $10^{-5}$ and to the associated dipole emission parameter of $10^{-7}$, with the best constraints arising from the Einstein Telescope. When applied to a minimal model of dark matter, this provides an exquisite probe of dark matter accumulation by neutron stars, and for sub-TeV dark matter gravitational waves are able to detect mass fractions $m_{DM}/m_{NS}$ less then 1 part in $10^{15}$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

On the Classical and Quantum Stability of a Cosmic Ghost

Ghost fields have reemerged in a handful of phenomenologically motivated cosmological and particle physics scenarios, and most recently in a cyclic mechanism to address the fine-tuning of gauge couplings in the standard model. We study the classical and quantum stability of a ghost-dilaton system coupled to a gauge sector and find that this system is classically stable due to the existence of limit cycles in phase space. We also analyze the coupled gauge invariant classical perturbations and find a range of phenomenologically viable parameters where the system is stable. We also discuss ways to avoid both quantum and vacuum instabilities by either having a ghost condensate or Classicon configurations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Local Density Approximation for Almost-Bosonic Anyons

We discuss the average-field approximation for a trapped gas of non-interacting anyons in the quasi-bosonic regime. In the homogeneous case, i.e., for a confinement to a bounded region, we prove that the energy in the regime of large statistics parameter, i.e., for "less-bosonic" anyons, is independent of boundary conditions and of the shape of the domain. When a non-trivial trapping potential is present, we derive a local density approximation in terms of a Thomas-Fermi-like model.

math-ph↗

arXiv2017

Correlations in disordered quantum harmonic oscillator systems: The effects of excitations and quantum quenches

We prove spatial decay estimates on disorder-averaged position-momentum correlations in a gapless class of random oscillator models. First, we prove a decay estimate on dynamic correlations for general eigenstates with a bound that depends on the magnitude of the maximally excited mode. Then, we consider the situation of a quantum quench. We prove that the full time-evolution of an initially chosen (uncorrelated) product state has disorder-averaged correlations which decay exponentially in space, uniformly in time.

math-ph↗

arXiv2017

V-mode Polarization in Axion Inflation and Preheating

We study the production of primordial circular ("V-mode") polarization in axion inflation coupled to fermions and gauge fields, with special attention paid to (p)reheating. We construct the power spectrum of $V$, and find a blue-tilted spectrum with index $n_V=4$. This is independent of the dominant decay channel of the inflaton (direct fermion vs. direct photon production)

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Detecting axions via induced electron spin precession

We propose a new window to detect axion-like particle (ALP) dark matter from electrically charged fermions, such as electrons and quarks. We specifically consider a direct interaction between the axion and the electron and find that the non-relativistic quantum dynamics induces a spin precession due to the axion and is enhanced by the application of an external electric field. This precession gives a change in magnetic flux which under certain circumstances can yield a detectable signal for SQUID magnetometers.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Localization Properties of the XY Spin Chain. A review of mathematical results with an eye toward Many-Body Localization

We review several aspects of Many-Body Localization-like properties exhibited by the disordered XY chains: localization properties of the energy eigenstates and thermal states, propagation bounds of Lieb-Robinson type, decay of correlation functions, absence of particle transport, bounds on the bipartite entanglement, and bounded entanglement growth under the dynamics. We also prove new results on the absence of energy transport and Fock space localization. All these properties are made accessible to mathematical analysis due to the exact mapping of the XY chain to a system of quasi-free fermions given by the Jordan-Wigner transformation. Motivated by these results we discuss conjectured properties of more general disordered quantum spin and other systems as possible directions for future mathematical research.

math-ph↗

arXiv2016

Chirality and Circular Polarization in Models of Inflation

We investigate the possibility that a chiral asymmetry during inflation can manifest as net circular polarization in photons. Using an example known to produce a helicity imbalance in fermions, we show that superhorizon photon modes produced during inflation acquire net circular polarization. Modes that reenter the horizon around last scattering can thermalize into the Cosmic Microwave Background while retaining a portion of their net circular polarization. We also consider the possibility of direct detection of the circular polarization in the CMB.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Entanglement Dynamics of Disordered Quantum XY Chains

We consider the dynamics of the quantum XY chain with disorder under the general assumption that the expectation of the eigenfunction correlator of the associated one-particle Hamiltonian satisfies a decay estimate typical of Anderson localization. We show that, starting from a broad class of product initial states, entanglement remains bounded for all times. For the XX chain, we also derive bounds on the particle transport which, in particular, show that the density profile of initial states that consist of fully occupied and empty intervals, only have significant dynamics near the edges of those intervals, uniformly for all times.

math-ph↗