  Non-Hermitian descriptions of quantum matter have seen impressive progress
recently, with major advances in understanding central aspects such as their
topological properties or the physics of exceptional points, the non-Hermitian
counterpart of critical points. Here, we use single-photon interferometry to
reconstruct the non-Hermitian Kibble-Zurek mechanism and its distinct scaling
behavior for exceptional points, by simulating the defect production upon
performing slow parameter ramps. Importantly, we are able to realise also
higher-order exceptional points, providing experimental access to their
theoretically predicted characteristic Kibble-Zurek scaling behaviour. Our work
represents a crucial step in increasing the experimental complexity of
non-Hermitian quantum time-evolution. It thus also furthers the quest to move
the frontier from purely single-particle physics towards increasingly complex
settings in the many-body realm.
