Symmetry breaking and amplification in a driven-dissipative 1D cavity array

We study theoretically a one-dimensional array of parametrically driven photonic cavities where time-reversal symmetry is broken through the parametric pump. This simple model exhibits an unusual symmetry broken phase, in which the properties of a finite chain with boundaries strongly diverge from those of an infinite system or ring. We discuss the steady-state correlation properties of this phase, as well as implications for transport and amplification. The system could be realized either using superconducting microwave circuits (see e.g. Ref. [1]), or with photonic cavities. [1] Mattias Fitzpatrick, Neereja M. Sundaresan, Andy C. Y. Li, Jens Koch, and Andrew A. Houck. Phys. Rev. X 7, 011016,(2017).