Dynamical phase transition in the open Dicke model

The Dicke model with a weak dissipation channel is realized by coupling a Bose–Einstein condensate to an optical cavity with ultranarrow bandwidth. We explore the dynamical critical properties of the Hepp–Lieb–Dicke phase transition by performing quenches across the phase boundary. We observe hysteresis in the transition between a homogeneous phase and a self-organized collective phase with an enclosed loop area showing power-law scaling with respect to the quench time, which suggests an interpretation within a general framework introduced by Kibble and Zurek. The observed hysteretic dynamics is well reproduced by numerically solving the mean-field equation derived from a generalized Dicke Hamiltonian. Our work promotes the understanding of nonequilibrium physics in open many-body systems with infinite range interactions. Significance Nonequilibrium phenomena in quantum many-body systems are not well understood to date. This applies in particular for open systems, coupled to an external bath. We use a Bose–Einstein condensate in a high-finesse optical resonator with ultralow bandwidth to emulate the open Dicke model. In well-controlled sweeps across the Hepp–Lieb–Dicke phase transition, we observe hysteretic dynamics showing power-law scaling with respect to the transition time, which suggests an interpretation in terms of a Kibble–Zurek mechanism. Our observations indicate the possibility of universal behavior in the presence of dissipation.