The dynamical bulk boundary correspondence and dynamical quantum phase transitions in the Benalcazar–Bernevig–Hughes model

Abstract

In this article we demonstrate that dynamical quantum phase transitions occur for an exemplary higher order topological insulator, the Benalcazar-Bernevig-Hughes model, following quenches across a topological phase boundary. A dynamical bulk boundary correspondence is also seen both in the eigenvalues of the Loschmidt overlap matrix and the boundary return rate. The latter is found from a finite size scaling analysis for which the relative simplicity of the model is crucial. Contrary to the usual two dimensional case the dynamical quantum phase transitions in this model show up as cusps in the return rate, as for a one dimensional model, rather than as cusps in its derivative as would be typical for a two dimensional model. We explain the origin of this behaviour.