Universal defect density scaling in an oscillating dynamic phase transition

Abstract: Universal scaling laws govern the density of topological defects generated while crossing an equilibrium continuous phase transition. The Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM) predicts the dependence on the quench time for slow quenches. By contrast, for fast quenches, the defect density scales universally with the amplitude of the quench. We show that universal scaling laws apply to dynamic phase transitions driven by an oscillating external field. The difference in the energy response of the system to a periodic potential field leads to energy absorption, spontaneous breaking of symmetry, and its restoration. We verify the associated universal scaling laws, providing evidence that the critical behavior of non-equilibrium phase transitions can be described by time-average critical exponents combined with the KZM. Our results demonstrate that the universality of critical dynamics extends beyond equilibrium criticality, facilitating the understanding of complex non-equilibrium systems.