Work statistics and generalized Loschmidt echo for the Hatano-Nelson model

We focus on the biorthogonal work statistics of the interacting many-body Hatano-Nelson model after switching on the imaginary vector potential. We introduce a generalized Loschmidt echo $G(t)$ utilizing the biorthogonal metric operator. It is well suited for numerical analysis and its Fourier transform yields the probability distribution of work done. The statistics of work displays several universal features, including an exponential decay with the square of both the system size and imaginary vector potential for the probability to stay in the ground state. Additionally, its high energy tail follows a universal power law with exponent $-3$. This originates from the peculiar temporal power law decay of $G(t)$ with a time dependent exponent. The mean and the variance of work scale linearly and logarithmically with system size while all higher cumulants are non-extensive. Our results are relevant for non-unitary field theories as well.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Correlations at higher-order exceptional points in non-Hermitian models

We investigate the decay of spatial correlations of $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric non-Hermitian one-dimensional models that host higher-order exceptional points. Beyond a certain correlation length, they develop anomalous power-law behavior that indicates strong suppression of correlations in the non-Hermitian setups as compared to the Hermitian ones. The correlation length is also reflected in the entanglement entropy where it marks a change from logarithmic growth at short distance to a constant value at large distance, characteristic of an insulator, despite the spectrum being gapless. Two different families of models are investigated, both having a similar spectrum constrained by particle-hole symmetry. The first model offers an experimentally attractive way to generate arbitrary higher-order exceptional points and represents a non-Hermitian extension of the Dirac Hamiltonian for general spin. At the critical point it displays a decay of the correlations $\sim 1/x^2$ and $1/x^3$ irrespective of the order of the exceptional point. The second model is constructed using unidirectional hopping and displays enhanced suppression of correlations $\sim 1/x^a$, $a\ge 2$ with a power law that depends on the order of the exceptional point.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figure

Quantum quench dynamics in the Luttinger liquid phase of the Hatano-Nelson model

We investigate the quantum quench dynamics of the interacting Hatano-Nelson model with open boundary conditions using both abelian bosonization and numerical methods. Specifically, we follow the evolution of the particle density and current profile in real space over time by turning the imaginary vector potential on or off in the presence of weak interactions. Our results reveal spatio-temporal Friedel oscillations in the system with light cones propagating ballistically from the open ends, accompanied by local currents of equal magnitude for both switch off and on protocols. Remarkably, the bosonization method accurately accounts for the density and current patterns with a single overall fitting parameter. The continuity equation is satisfied by the long wavelength part of the density and current, despite the non-unitary time evolution when the Hatano-Nelson term is switched on.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure