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Universality, robustness, and limits of the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis in open quantum systems
Gabriel Almeida1, Pedro Ribeiro1,2, Masudul Haque3
1Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior Técnico, CeFEMA-LaPMET, Departamento de Física, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal.
Physical Review. E
|February 20, 2026
Summary
We explored the Lindbladian eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) in open quantum systems. Lindbladian ETH holds in most cases, but breaks down in the singular no-click limit.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Physics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Open Quantum Systems
Background:
- The eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) is crucial for understanding thermalization in closed quantum systems.
- Investigating ETH in open quantum systems is essential for a complete picture of quantum dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the statistical properties of observables in the eigenbasis of the Lindbladian operator.
- To demonstrate the validity and robustness of a Lindbladian ETH ansatz in Markovian open quantum systems.
Main Methods:
- Extensive numerical simulations of various physical models.
- Analysis of quantum trajectories, including postselection in the dilute-click regime.
- Study of average dynamics generated by a non-trace-preserving Liouvillian.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the validity of the Lindbladian ETH ansatz across different models.
- Showed that Lindbladian ETH remains valid in the dilute-click regime with postselected trajectories.
- Identified the breakdown of Lindbladian ETH in the no-click limit, where the system becomes a doubled non-Hermitian Hamiltonian.
Conclusions:
- The Lindbladian ETH ansatz is a valid and robust concept for open quantum systems.
- The no-click limit represents a singular point where standard Lindbladian ETH fails.
- This work provides insights into thermalization dynamics in open quantum systems under different measurement regimes.
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