Dual phase transitions in a 1D lattice with PT-symmetric Floquet defect

Abstract: Systems with non-Hermitian potential or Floquet modulation often result in phase transition related phenomena. In this paper, we study the dual phase transitions in a one-dimensional lattice by introducing a defect containing both Floquet modulation and PT-symmetric potential. In such a configuration, we demonstrate how the gain-loss from PT-symmetry and the control parameters in Floquet modulation adjust the wave dynamic behaviors. When these parameters change, the system will undergo dual phase transitions from an energy-delocalized phase to a localized phase where energy oscillates with time, and then to a PT-symmetry broken phase with energy boost. In particular, we find that the energy oscillations in the second phase is resulted from the beating of two energy oscillations: one is introduced by the PT-symmetric potential and the other is introduced by the Floquet modulation, rather than the field interference of the defect modes. Furthermore, we find that the first phase transition can be non-exist and the second phase transition is affected by the Floquet parameters. Our results reveal the underlying physics of dual phase transitions that occur in simple lattice systems with PT-symmetric Floquet defect, which extends the study of non-Hermitian Floquet systems.