Quantum spin fluctuations in dynamical quantum phase transitions

Quantum phase transitions have long been studied in their relation to quantum fluctuations. These fluctuations can be quantified as the degree of spin squeezing in spin models, where one of the two noncommutative observables breaks the standard quantum limit of measurement by minimizing its uncertainty. However, the understanding of their role in dynamical quantum phase transitions (DQPTs) is still incomplete. In this work, we combine the Loschmidt amplitude, which detects DQPTs, and the spin-squeezing parameter (SSP), the quantification of spin squeezing, to study the spin dynamics in a quenched interacting spin model around DQPT. We show that the extremum, mostly maximum, of SSP occurs near DQPTs when the system is quenched between different phases. These phenomena further unveil the spin correlations during DQPTs, for which the highest contribution aligns with the preferred direction of spin interactions in the postquenched phase. We also demonstrate that the time evolution of SSP differs for various quench scenarios. These findings provide us with physical insights into the dynamics of quantum fluctuations around DQPTs and their relation to the equilibrium phase diagrams. © 2023 American Physical Society.