Work

Phase diagram and quench dynamics of a Floquet-engineered one-dimensional quantum droplet

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We theoretically investigate a one-dimensional quantum droplet with spin-orbit (SO) coupling and periodically modulated Raman coupling. Using a Floquet approach, we derive an effective time-independent model that reveals a controlled phase diagram. Crucially, the interplay of quantum fluctuations encoded in the Lee-Huang-Yang correction and SO coupling suppresses the plane-wave phase that is typical of mean-field SO-coupled condensates. The ground state is instead restricted to two distinct phases: a stripe phase, with periodic density modulations, and a zero-momentum phase, with a flat-top density profile. The plane-wave droplet is a metastable state of the system. We demonstrate that the boundary between these phases can be dynamically manipulated by tuning the driving parameters. Furthermore, we explore the system's response to quantum quenches, uncovering a wealth of nonequilibrium phenomena, including the dynamical formation of stable, solitonlike structures. Our work establishes periodic driving as a powerful tool for the dynamical control of self-bound quantum matter and elucidates the fundamental role of quantum fluctuations in shaping the phase diagram of SO-coupled droplets.

Source: Physical review. B./Physical review. B

DOI: 10.1103/vhpp-2z36

Authors: Chen Jiao, Qi Wang, Wen-Kai Bai, Wu-Ming Liu, Tao Yang

Institutions: Northwest University, Peng Huanwu Center for Fundamental Theory, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Physics

Language: English

Topic: Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid