Controlling discrete and continuous symmetries in 'superradiant' phase transitions

Abstract: We explore theoretically the physics of a collection of two-level systems coupled to a single-mode bosonic field in the non-standard configuration where each (artificial) atom is coupled to both field quadratures of the boson mode. We determine the rich phase diagram showing 'superradiant' phases with different symmetries. We demonstrate that it is possible to pass from a discrete, parity-like $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry to a continuous U(1) symmetry even in the ultrastrong coupling regime where the rotating wave approximation for the interaction between field and two-level systems is no longer applicable. By applying this general paradigm, we propose a scheme for the experimental implementation of such continuous U(1) symmetry in circuit QED systems, with the appearance of photonic Goldstone and amplitude modes above a critical point.