IQIM Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Seminar

Note: this is a special IQIM seminar beginning at 3 pm on May 10.

Abstract: The phenomenon of PT (parity and time reversal) symmetry breaking is associated with a sudden change in the complex mode spectrum of (classical) non-Hermitian systems with gain and loss and marks a transition from a purely oscillatory to an exponentially amplified dynamical regime. In this talk I will discuss the generalization of this concept to steady states of open quantum systems, such as coupled mechanical resonators or dissipative spins. Specifically, I will illustrate the influence of symmetry-breaking effects on the energy transport through a microscopic power grid and how it explains the non-equilibrium magnetic phases in spin systems subjected to both gain and loss.