Quantum quenches in isolated quantum glasses out of equilibrium

In this work, we address the question of how a closed quantum system thermalises in the presence of a random external potential. By investigating the quench dynamics of the isolated quantum spherical \(p\)-spin model, a paradigmatic model of a mean-field glass, we aim to shed new light on this compl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2020-09
Main Authors: Thomson, S J, Urbani, P, Schiro, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Quantum phenomena
Quantum theory
Thermal baths
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In this work, we address the question of how a closed quantum system thermalises in the presence of a random external potential. By investigating the quench dynamics of the isolated quantum spherical \(p\)-spin model, a paradigmatic model of a mean-field glass, we aim to shed new light on this complex problem. Employing a closed-time Schwinger-Keldysh path integral formalism, we first initialise the system in a random, infinite-temperature configuration and allow it to equilibrate in contact with a thermal bath before switching off the bath and performing a quench. We find evidence that increasing the strength of either the interactions or the quantum fluctuations can act to lower the effective temperature of the isolated system and stabilise glassy behaviour.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1904.03147