Finite-temperature quantum condensations in the space of states: A different perspective on quantum annealing

In nature, everything occurs at finite temperature, and quantum phase transitions (QPTs) cannot be an exception. Nevertheless, they are still mainly discussed and formulated at zero temperature. We show that the condensation QPTs recently introduced at zero temperature can naturally be extended to finite temperature just by replacing ground-state energies with corresponding free energies. We illustrate this criterion in the paradigmatic Grover model and in a system of free fermions in a one-dimensional inhomogeneous lattice. In agreement with expected universal features, the two systems show structurally similar phase diagrams. Last, we explain how finite-temperature condensation QPTs can be used to construct quantum annealers having, at finite temperature, output probability exponentially close to 1 in the system size. As examples we consider again the Grover model and the fermionic system, the latter being well within the reach of present heterostructure technology.