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Thermalization of Topological Entropy after a Quantum Quench
In two spatial dimensions, topological order is robust for static
deformations at zero temperature, while it is fragile at any finite
temperature. How robust is topological order after a quantum quench? In this
paper we show that topological order thermalizes under the unitary evolution
after a quantum quench. If the quench preserves gauge symmetry, there is a
residual topological entropy exactly like in the finite temperature case.
We obtain this result by studying the time evolution of the topological
2-R\'enyi entropy in a fully analytical, exact way. These techniques can be
then applied to systems with strong disorder to show whether a many-body
localization phenomenon appears in topologically ordered systems.Comment: new plot with finite time results added; typos fixe
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