Topological dynamical quantum phase transition in a quantum skyrmion phase

Abstract

The quantum skyrmionic phase is modeled in a two-dimensional helical spin lattice. This topological skyrmionic phase retains its nature in a large parameter space before moving to a ferromagnetic phase. Next-nearest-neighbor interaction improves the stability and it also causes a shift of the topological phase in the parameter space. Nonanalytic behavior of the rate function observed, when the system which is initially in a quantum skyrmion phase is quenched to a trivial quantum ferromagnetic phase, indicates a dynamical quantum phase transition. Dynamical quantum phase transition is absent when the system initially in a skyrmion phase is quenched to a helical phase. © 2023 authors. Published by the American Physical Society. Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI. Open access publication funded by the Max Planck Society.