Fidelity approach to quantum phase transitions in quantum Ising model

Abstract

Fidelity approach to quantum phase transitions uses the overlap between ground states of the system to gain some information about its quantum phases. Such an overlap is called fidelity. We illustrate how this approach works in the one dimensional quantum Ising model in the transverse field. Several closed-form analytical expressions for fidelity are discussed. An example of what insights fidelity provides into the dynamics of quantum phase transitions is carefully described. The role of fidelity in central spin systems is pointed out.