Finite-time quantum quenches in the XXZ Heisenberg chain

We study the time evolution of the two-point correlation functions in the XXZ Heisenberg chain after a finite-time quantum quench in the anisotropy. We compare results from numerical simulations to ones obtained in the Luttinger model and find good agreement. We analyze the spreading of the correlations and the associated light-cone features. We observe a delay in the appearance of the light cone as compared to the sudden-quench setup, and link this delay to the properties of the quench protocol