Quantum probing topological phase transitions by non-Markovianity

Understanding the physical significance and probing the global invariants characterizing quantum topological phases in extended systems is a main
challenge in modern physics with major impact in different areas of science. Here, a quantum-information-inspired probing method is proposed where
topological phase transitions are revealed by a non-Markovianity quantifier. The idea is illustrated by considering the decoherence dynamics of an external
read-out qubit that probes a Su–Schrieffer–Heeger (SSH) chain with either pure dephasing or dissipative coupling. Qubit decoherence features and
non-Markovianity measure clearly signal the topological phase transition of the SSH chain.