Linear dynamics of classical spin as M\"obius transformation

Abstract

Although the overwhelming majority of natural processes occurs far from the equilibrium, general theoretical approaches to non-equilibrium phase transitions remain scarce. Recent breakthroughs introducing description of open dissipative systems in terms of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics allowed to identify a class of non-equilibrium phase transitions associated with the loss of combined parity (reflection) and time-reversal symmetries. Here we report that time evolution of a single classical spin (e.g. monodomain ferromagnet) governed by the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert-Slonczewski equation in absence of higher-order anisotropy terms is described by a M\"{o}bius transformation in complex stereographic coordinates. We identify the \textit{parity-time} symmetry-breaking phase transition occurring in spin-transfer torque-driven linear spin systems as a transition between hyperbolic and loxodromic classes of M\"{o}bius transformations, with the critical point of the transition corresponding to the parabolic transformation. This establishes the understanding of non-equilibrium phase transitions as topological transitions in configuration space.