Submission Date
5-15-2026
Document Type
Paper
Department
Physics & Astronomy
Adviser
Thomas Carroll
Committee Member
Thomas Carroll
Committee Member
Lew Riley
Committee Member
Christopher Sadowski
Department Chair
Thomas Carroll
Project Description
An explanation of the thermalization of closed quantum systems is the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, which states that all eigenstates are thermal. Quantum many-body scars are a relatively newly discovered phenomenon, which describe a band of nonthermal eigenstates that have high overlap with the initial state. These states impede the thermalization of systems. This paper looks at a system of ultracold Rubidium Rydberg atoms that interact via dipole-dipole interactions. This system has apparently normal thermalization when the dipole interactions are primarily two-body interactions, however when they are primarily three-body interaction the system thermalizes slower than expected. Simulations results are presented which suggest that scars states affect the time evolution of the system.
Recommended Citation
Bauroth-Sherman, Juniper J., "Quantum Many-Body Scars Impede Thermalization" (2026). Physics and Astronomy Honors Papers. 23.
https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/physics_astro_hon/23
Comments
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grants No. 2011583 and No. 2011610, and NSF GRFP Grant No. 2334429.