Exact solution of slow quench dynamics and nonadiabatic characterization of topological phases

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the bulk topology of single-particle systems can be captured by the band inversion surface or by the spin inversion surface emerging on the time-averaged spin polarization. Most of the studies, however, are based on the single-particle picture even though the systems are fermionic and multi-bands. Here, we study the slow quench dynamics of topological systems with all the valence bands fully occupied, and show that the concepts of band inversion surface and spin inversion surface are still valid. More importantly, the many-particle nonadiabatic quench dynamics is shown to be reduced to a new and nontrivial three-level Landau–Zener model. This nontrivial three-level Landau–Zener problem is then solved analytically by applying the integrability condition and symmetry considerations, and thus adds a new member to the few models that are exactly solvable. Based on the analytical results, the topological spin texture revealed by the time-averaged spin polarization can be applied to characterize the bulk topology and thus provides a direct comparison for future experiments.