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Decoherence of Histories: Chaotic Versus Integrable Systems
Jiaozi Wang1, Philipp Strasberg2,3
1University of Osnabrück, Department of Mathematics/Computer Science/Physics, D-49076 Osnabrück, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|June 23, 2025
Summary
We investigated how system dynamics affect quantum decoherence in isolated Heisenberg chains. Chaotic systems show strong decoherence, while integrable systems exhibit weaker or no decoherence, crucial for understanding classicality.
Area of Science:
- Quantum mechanics
- Statistical mechanics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Decoherence explains the transition from quantum to classical behavior.
- Understanding decoherence in isolated quantum systems is key to quantum physics.
- The role of system dynamics in decoherence remains an active research area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of different system natures (chaotic, interacting integrable, noninteracting integrable) on decoherence.
- To analyze decoherence of coarse spin observables in isolated Heisenberg chains.
- To explore the relationship between system chaoticity and the emergence of classicality.
Main Methods:
- Exact numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation for a Heisenberg chain.
- Analysis of decoherence using finite size scaling laws.
- Examination of multitime properties of quantum histories.
Main Results:
- Chaotic systems exhibit strong exponential suppression of coherences.
- Interacting integrable systems show weak exponential suppression, potentially with power-law decay at equilibrium.
- Noninteracting integrable systems display no exponential suppression on relevant timescales.
- Decoherence behavior differs significantly across system types and timescales.
Conclusions:
- System chaoticity is a crucial factor in the emergence of classicality in finite quantum systems.
- Decoherence in isolated systems is driven by internal dynamics, not environmental interactions.
- The findings offer insights into quantum-to-classical transitions in diverse physical scenarios.
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