General theory for discrete symmetry-breaking equilibrium states in quantum systems.

Abstract

Spontaneous symmetry breaking in phase transitions occurs when the system Hamiltonian is symmetric under a certain transformation, but the equilibrium states observed in nature are not. Here we build two noncommuting quantities from the order parameter of the transition and the symmetry operator that are constants of motion when such equilibrium states exist. Then, we derive a general equilibrium ensemble for the ordered phase and show that equilibrium states consisting of superpositions of different symmetry-breaking states, like positive and negative magnetized states, may exist. We propose an experimental realization of such equilibrium states with the state-of-the-art quantum technologies, and test it by means of numerical calculations. Finally, we show that a small symmetry-breaking perturbation in the Hamiltonian stabilizes the conservation of one of the two former quantities, implying that symmetry-breaking equilibrium states become stable even in small quantum systems.