Fluctuation control of nonthermal orbital order

Orbitally ordered states exhibit unique features which make them a promising platform for exploring the ultrafast dynamics of long-range order in solids: Their free energy typically has multiple discrete minima, and electric laser fields or selectively excited phonons can exert effective forces that may be used to steer parameter through these landscapes. Moreover, their strongly depends on fluctuations, some cases restoring close minimum are exclusively entropic origin (order-by-disorder mechanisms). This open pathways control via non-thermal fluctuations. In this work, we study laser-induced non-equilibrium $120^\circ$ compass model, using time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory. We analyze protocols switch between equivalent configurations, with focus interplay external force due driving field, forces. particular, find remanent fluctuations after excitation stabilize high-symmetry phase even when homogeneous potential retrieved its low-temperature form, facilitates switching.