Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We investigate many-body systems with time-delayed self-interactions mediated by a memory-feedback mechanism. We show that such temporal interactions generate non-equilibrium orders and unique topological defects absent in equilibrium-specifically, helical vortices wherein opposite vorticities propagate in reverse directions along domain walls. In one dimension, memory feedback stabilizes true long-range order against weak noise, thereby circumventing the Mermin-Wagner theorem and resulting in an unconventional finite-temperature phase transition with a dynamical exponent $z = 4$. Physical realizations of these memory-driven non-equilibrium systems using active mechatronic metamaterials has also been proposed. These results demonstrate engineered temporal interactions as a powerful paradigm for non-equilibrium many-body physics.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Ding, Ziyang, Cai, Zi
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G1452977188, G6565275996
OpenAlex ID: W7207657024
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: