The Thermodynamic Fate of Isolated Quantum Systems

Author

John Keim, Ursinus CollegeFollow
Isabel Martinez-Robles, Ursinus College
Nicolaus A. Chlanda, Ursinus College
Sage M. Thomas, Bryn Mawr College
Maja Teofilovska, Bryn Mawr College
Sarah E. Spielman, Bryn Mawr College
Jordyn Strunk, Bryn Mawr College
Tina Zhao, Bryn Mawr College
Juniper J. Bauroth-Sherman, Ursinus College
Hannah Conley, Ursinus CollegeFollow
Philip Conte, Ursinus College
Aidan Kirk, Ursinus College
Thomas J. Carroll, Ursinus CollegeFollow
Michael W. Noel, Bryn Mawr College

Submission Date

6-16-2025

Document Type

Paper

Department

Physics & Astronomy

Faculty Mentor

Tom Carroll

Comments

Presented during the 27th Annual Summer Fellows Symposium, July 18, 2025 at Ursinus College.

Project Description

Isolated quantum systems are typically observed to come to thermal equilibrium. The weak Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis (wETH) states that the vast majority of eigenvectors are thermal. This implies that most initial states should thermalize. Studying the rare cases in which they fail to thermalize could reveal insight into quantum dynamics. In our experiment, we excite Rydberg atoms and allow them to exchange energy via dipole-dipole interactions. We find that they do not thermalize. We present numerical and theoretical results that show that our experimental initial state is not typical.

Recommended Citation

Keim, John; Martinez-Robles, Isabel; Chlanda, Nicolaus A.; Thomas, Sage M.; Teofilovska, Maja; Spielman, Sarah E.; Strunk, Jordyn; Zhao, Tina; Bauroth-Sherman, Juniper J.; Conley, Hannah; Conte, Philip; Kirk, Aidan; Carroll, Thomas J.; and Noel, Michael W., "The Thermodynamic Fate of Isolated Quantum Systems" (2025). Physics and Astronomy Summer Fellows. 53.
https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/physics_astro_sum/53