Charge-order melting in the one-dimensional Edwards model

We use infinite matrix-product-state techniques to study the time evolution of the charge-density-wave (CDW) order after a quench or a light pulse in a fundamental fermion-boson model. The motion of fermions in the model is linked to the creation of bosonic excitations, which counteracts the melting of the CDW order. For low-energy quenches corresponding to a change of the boson relaxation rate, we find behavior similar to that in an effective t - V model. When the boson energy is quenched instead or a light pulse is applied to the system, the transient dynamics are more complex, with the CDW order first quickly decreasing to an intermediate value while the density-wave-like order of the bosons rises. In the case of pulse irradiation, the subsequent time evolution of the CDW order depends strongly on the photon frequency. For frequencies slightly below the boson energy, we observe a temporary increase of the CDW order parameter. Our results reveal the complex physics of driven Mott insulators in low-dimensional systems with strong correlations.