Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT The Mpemba effect is the counterintuitive phenomenon, where some states relax faster than others despite being initially farther from equilibrium. In quantum systems, realizing this effect typically requires fine‐tuned dissipation or carefully engineered initial states, making it fragile to disorder. Here, we uncover a robust statistical quantum Mpemba effect arising from Griffiths rare‐region physics in a one‐dimensional dissipative lattice. Sparse local losses fragment the system into random loss‐free regions that host long‐lived quasi‐bound modes with broadly distributed lifetimes. We show that simple extended Bloch states, although having identical density profiles, couple very differently to these modes: a uniform state predominantly excites slowly decaying modes, while a phase‐modulated state couples more strongly to rapidly decaying ones. This mismatch produces a disorder‐robust inversion of relaxation times, where the initially “farther” state relaxes faster. Our results identify Griffiths rare‐region physics as a robust mechanism for quantum Mpemba dynamics in disordered quadratic open quantum systems.
Source: Advanced Quantum Technologies
DOI: 10.1002/qute.70425
Author: Stefano Longhi
Language: English
Topic: Quantum many-body systems
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,430
Funder: Agencia Estatal de Investigación
Award: G2373305540
OpenAlex ID: W7204686510