Experimental observation of a generalized Gibbs ensemble
TU Wien · Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology · +4 more institutions
Abstract
The description of the non-equilibrium dynamics of isolated quantum many-body systems within the framework of statistical mechanics is a fundamental open question. Conventional thermodynamical ensembles fail to describe the large class of systems that exhibit nontrivial conserved quantities, and generalized ensembles have been predicted to maximize entropy in these systems. We show experimentally that a degenerate one-dimensional Bose gas relaxes to a state that can be described by such a generalized ensemble. This is verified through a detailed study of correlation functions up to 10th order. The applicability of the generalized ensemble description for isolated quantum many-body systems points to a natural…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 49.43
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 55
Authors
10- TLTim Langen
TU Wien, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology
- SESebastian Erne
TU Wien, GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Heidelberg University, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology
- RGRémi Geiger
TU Wien, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology
- BRBernhard Rauer
TU Wien, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology
- TSThomas Schweigler
TU Wien, Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology
Topics & keywords
- Statistical mechanics
- Non-equilibrium thermodynamics
- Perspective (graphical)
- Context (archaeology)
- Statistical physics
- Canonical ensemble
- Quantum statistical mechanics
- Physics
- Affordable and clean energy