Dynamical quantum phase transitions in systems with broken-symmetry phases

Abstract: In this work it is shown that dynamical quantum phase transitions in Loschmidt echos control the nonequilibrium dynamics of the order parameter after particular quantum quenches in systems with broken-symmetry phases. A direct connection between Loschmidt echos and the order parameter dynamics is established which links nonequilibrium microscopic probabilities to the system's macroscopic dynamical properties. These concepts are illustrated numerically using exact diagonalization for quantum quenches in the XXZ chain with initial N\'eel states. An outlook is given how to explore these predictions experimentally with ultra-cold gases in optical lattices.