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Title: Light-driven transitions in quantum paraelectrics
Motivated by recent experiments on pump-induced polar ordering in the quantum paraelectric Sr⁢Ti⁢O3, we study a driven phonon system close to a second-order phase transition. Analyzing its classical dynamics, we find that sufficiently strong driving leads to transitions into polar phases whose structures, determined by the light polarization, are not all accessible in equilibrium. In addition, for certain intensity profiles, we demonstrate the possibility of two-step transitions as a function of fluence. For even stronger field intensities, the possibility of period-doubling and chaotic behavior is demonstrated. Finally we develop a generalized formalism that allows us to consider quantum corrections to the classical dynamics in a systematic fashion. We predict a shift in the critical pump fluence due to quantum fluctuations with a characteristic dependence on the fluence increase rate that should be observable in experiment.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1830707
PAR ID:
10508891
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
American Physical Society
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Physical Review B
Volume:
107
Issue:
22
ISSN:
2469-9950
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
Non equilibrium Phase transitions Ferroelectrics
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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