We demonstrated that the temporal evolution of the order parameter in second-order phase transitions can be solved analytically in key examples of the KZM, such as the Landau–Ginzburg and Gross–Pitaevskii models. These solutions point to new experimental observables for the Kibble–Zurek mechanism, bridging the long-standing gap between the “freeze-out” conjecture—invoked to justify KZM scaling—and the order-parameter dynamics that can be measured in experiments.
*Answers to some common questions: We occasionally receive questions referring to theorems derived for equilibrium systems. However, the Kibble-Zurek mechanism addresses "non-equilibrium" dynamics during critical quenches. Please be mindful of the assumptions under which those mathematical theorems were proved.