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Thermalization without eigenstate thermalization hypothesis after a quantum quench
Takashi Mori1, Naoto Shiraishi2
1Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
Physical Review. E
|September 28, 2017
Summary
This study explores quantum systems that don't follow the usual thermalization rules. It finds that large systems always reach thermal equilibrium, while smaller systems may exhibit prethermalization or be described by generalized ensembles.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Statistical mechanics
- Condensed matter theory
Background:
- The eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) is a key concept explaining thermalization in isolated quantum systems.
- Understanding thermalization in nonintegrable systems, especially those violating ETH, is crucial for describing complex quantum dynamics.
- Prethermalization and generalized Gibbs ensembles offer alternative frameworks for non-equilibrium quantum states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the non-equilibrium dynamics of a nonintegrable quantum system that does not satisfy the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis.
- To determine the conditions under which such a system thermalizes or exhibits alternative steady states.
- To explore the phenomenon of prethermalization in this context.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a specific nonintegrable quantum model.
- Study of its behavior in the thermodynamic limit (large system size).
- Investigation of finite-size effects at low temperatures.
- Application of the generalized Gibbs ensemble formalism.
- Characterization of prethermalized states using energy eigenstates.
Main Results:
- The model thermalizes in the thermodynamic limit after any quantum quench, despite not satisfying ETH.
- For finite systems at low temperatures, thermalization may not occur.
- The steady state in non-thermalizing finite systems is accurately described by a generalized Gibbs ensemble using nonlocal conserved quantities.
- The model demonstrates prethermalization, with prethermalized states characterized by nonthermal energy eigenstates.
Conclusions:
- Nonintegrable systems violating ETH can still thermalize in the thermodynamic limit.
- Finite-size and low-temperature effects can lead to deviations from typical thermalization, necessitating generalized statistical ensembles.
- Prethermalization is a significant feature in the dynamics of these systems, indicating complex non-equilibrium behavior.
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