Pushing the Limits of the Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis towards Mesoscopic Quantum Systems

R. Steinigeweg, A. Khodja, H. Niemeyer, C. Gogolin, and J. Gemmer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 130403 – Published 2 April 2014

Abstract

In the ongoing discussion on thermalization in closed quantum many-body systems, the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis has recently been proposed as a universal concept and has attracted considerable attention. So far this concept is, as the name states, hypothetical. The majority of attempts to overcome this hypothetical character are based on exact diagonalization, which implies for, e.g., spin systems a limitation of roughly 15 spins. In this Letter we present an approach that pushes this limit up to system sizes of roughly 35 spins, thereby going significantly beyond what is possible with exact diagonalization. A concrete application to a Heisenberg spin ladder which yields conclusive results is demonstrated.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 1 November 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.112.130403

© 2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

R. Steinigeweg1,*, A. Khodja2, H. Niemeyer2, C. Gogolin3, and J. Gemmer2,†

  • 1Institute for Theoretical Physics, Technical University Braunschweig, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
  • 2Department of Physics, University of Osnabrück, D-49069 Osnabrück, Germany
  • 3Dahlem Center for Complex Quantum Systems, Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195 Berlin, Germany

  • *r.steinigeweg@tu-bs.de
  • jgemmer@uos.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 112, Iss. 13 — 4 April 2014

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×