Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The essence of the Mpemba effect is that non-equilibrium systems may relax faster the further they are from their equilibrium configuration. In the quantum realm, this phenomenon arises in the dynamics of closed systems, where it is witnessed by fundamental features such as symmetry and entanglement. Here, we study the quantum Mpemba effect in charge-preserving random circuits on qudits combining extensive numerical simulations and analytical arguments. We show that the more asymmetric certain classes of initial states (tilted ferromagnets) are, the faster they restore symmetry and reach the grand-canonical ensemble. Conversely, other classes of states (tilted antiferromagnets) do not show the Mpemba effect. We provide a simple and general mechanism underlying the effect, based on the spreading of nonconserved operators in terms of conserved densities. Our analysis is based on minimal principles -- locality, unitarity, and symmetry. Consequently, our results represent a significant advancement in clarifying the emergence of Mpemba physics in chaotic systems.
Institutions: University of Cologne, Jeunes équipes de l'Institut de Physique du Collège de France, The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Trieste, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CY Cergy Paris Université, Laboratoire de Physique Théorique et Modélisation
Language: English
Topic: Quantum many-body systems
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G2879864793, G3356704239, G3375465512, G5058101487, Taming entanglement in out-of-equilibrium quantum matter, G6363417690, G6389258043, G6453481984, G6505494016, New states of Entangled Matter Out of equilibrium, G7240651115, TRR 183: Verschränkte Materiezustände, G7342182005, G7376787254, EXC 2004: Materie und Licht für Quanteninformation (ML4Q)
OpenAlex ID: W4398810499
