Chaos and thermalization in open quantum systems

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Ferrari, Filippo, Savona, Vincenzo, Minganti, Fabrizio
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Ferrari, Filippo
Savona, Vincenzo
Minganti, Fabrizio
author_facet Ferrari, Filippo
Savona, Vincenzo
Minganti, Fabrizio
contents The eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) provides a cornerstone for understanding thermalization in isolated quantum systems, linking quantum chaos with statistical mechanics. In this work, we extend the ETH framework to open quantum systems governed by Lindblad dynamics. We introduce the concept of Liouvillian stripe (spectral subset of the non-Hermitian Liouvillian superoperator) which enables the definition of effective pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians. This construction allows us to conjecture a Liouvillian version of ETH, whereby local superoperators exhibit statistical properties akin to ETH in closed systems. We substantiate our hypothesis using both random Liouvillians and a driven-dissipative quantum spin chain, showing that thermalization manifests through the suppression of coherent oscillations and the emergence of structureless local dynamics. These findings have practical implications for the control and measurement of many-body open quantum systems, highlighting how chaotic dissipative dynamics can obscure the system response to external probes.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_18260
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Chaos and thermalization in open quantum systems
Ferrari, Filippo
Savona, Vincenzo
Minganti, Fabrizio
Quantum Physics
The eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) provides a cornerstone for understanding thermalization in isolated quantum systems, linking quantum chaos with statistical mechanics. In this work, we extend the ETH framework to open quantum systems governed by Lindblad dynamics. We introduce the concept of Liouvillian stripe (spectral subset of the non-Hermitian Liouvillian superoperator) which enables the definition of effective pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonians. This construction allows us to conjecture a Liouvillian version of ETH, whereby local superoperators exhibit statistical properties akin to ETH in closed systems. We substantiate our hypothesis using both random Liouvillians and a driven-dissipative quantum spin chain, showing that thermalization manifests through the suppression of coherent oscillations and the emergence of structureless local dynamics. These findings have practical implications for the control and measurement of many-body open quantum systems, highlighting how chaotic dissipative dynamics can obscure the system response to external probes.
title Chaos and thermalization in open quantum systems
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18260