Topology and entanglement in quench dynamics (1804.10625v2)

Abstract: We classify the topology of quench dynamics by homotopy groups. A relation between the topological invariant of a post-quench order parameter and the topological invariant of a static Hamiltonian is shown in one, two and three dimensions. The mid-gap states in the entanglement spectrum of the post-quench state reveal its topological nature. When a trivial quantum state under a sudden quench to a Chern insulator, the mid-gap states in entanglement spectrum form rings. These rings are analogous to the boundary Fermi rings in the Hopf insulators. Finally, we show a post-quench state in 3+1 dimensions can be characterized by the second Chern number. The number of Dirac cones in the entanglement spectrum is equal to the second Chern number.