Quantum instanton theory for metastable collective spin systems

arXiv:2604.15091 · quant-ph, cond-mat.mes-hall, cond-mat.stat-mech · Submitted 2026-04-16 · Read on arXiv

quant-ph, cond-mat.mes-hall, cond-mat.stat-mech

Submitted: 2026-04-16

Updated: 2026-10-16

Comments: 9 pages, 4 figures + supplemental material. Companion paper added at arXiv:2610.21684

Code: https://github.com/mch-ifm/quantum-instantons-in-collective-spin-systems

License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/

Terminology

• Phase Transition — 1× in this paper · explained in 3 episodes
• Phase Transitions — 1× in this paper · explained in 2 episodes

Sources

• Switching Dynamics of Metastable Open Quantum Systems
• Switching rates in Kerr resonator with two-photon dissipation and driving
• Qubit decoherence in dissipative two-photon resonator: real-time instantons and Wigner function

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