{
  "abstract": "The Efimov effect manifests discrete scale invariance through a geometric series of three-body bound states. Analogous discrete scale symmetry has been observed in the Efimovian expansion of scale-invariant strongly interacting Fermi gases. However, it is unclear whether strong correlation is necessary. Here we investigate the spontaneous breaking of continuous scale invariance in a simple driven-dissipative harmonic oscillator whose driving and dissipation parameters scale as $1/t$. By transforming to logarithmic time, we show that the dynamics is governed by a non-Hermitian superoperator whose spectral decomposition reveals the emergence of a pair of eigenmodes with opposite real parts and equal imaginary parts. This signals the spontaneous breaking of continuous scale invariance and gives rise to Efimovian-like oscillations: log-periodic decay oscillations obeying discrete scaling laws. The onset of oscillations coincides with a PT-symmetry breaking transition in logarithmic time. The Efimovian-like oscillations are robust against weak nonlinear interactions and perturbations. Our work implies that the spontaneous breaking of continuous temporal scale symmetry and the emergence of Efimovian-like dynamics can even be observed in a simple driven-dissipative system without many-body interactions.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": "2609.34926",
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Zehui Wu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jian Yu"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jian-Song Pan"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e0dab30m57srq.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.48550/arxiv.2609.34926",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "e0dab30m57srq",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.34926",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "LicenseRef-arXiv-nonexclusive-1.0",
  "licence_label": "arXiv licence",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/",
  "metadata_licence": "CC0-1.0",
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "arxiv",
      "cond-mat.quant-gas"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3107|Quantum Mechanics and Non-Hermitian Physics"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214746046",
  "pdf_url": "https://arxiv.org/pdf/2609.34926",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-28",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e0dab30m57srq.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:25:12Z",
      "native_id": "2609.34926",
      "source": "arxiv",
      "url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.34926"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:cond-mat.quant-gas",
      "subfield": "amo"
    },
    {
      "field": "physics",
      "origin": "arxiv:cond-mat.quant-gas",
      "subfield": "condensed-matter"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Spontaneous breaking of continuous scale invariance and Efimovian-like dynamics in a driven-dissipative harmonic oscillator",
  "title_text": "Spontaneous breaking of continuous scale invariance and Efimovian-like dynamics in a driven-dissipative harmonic oscillator",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:25:12Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/e0dab30m57srq",
  "venue": "arXiv",
  "versions": []
}