Impact of quantum coherence on the dynamics and thermodynamics of quenched free fermions coupled to a localized defect
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2025
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| _version_ | 1866909999152758784 |
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| author | Donelli, Beatrice De Chiara, Gabriele Scazza, Francesco Gherardini, Stefano |
| author_facet | Donelli, Beatrice De Chiara, Gabriele Scazza, Francesco Gherardini, Stefano |
| contents | We investigate the non-equilibrium quantum dynamics and thermodynamics of free fermions suddenly coupled to a localized defect in a one-dimensional harmonic trap. This setup realizes a quantum quench transformation that gives rise to the orthogonalization of the system's wave-function as an effect of the localized perturbation. Using the Loschmidt echo and the Kirkwood-Dirac quasiprobability (KDQ) distribution of the work done by the defect, we quantify the extent and rate of the orthogonalization dynamics. In particular, we show that initializing the system in a coherent superpositions of energy eigenstates leads to non-classical features, such as Wigner function's negativity and non-positivity of the work KDQ distribution. Starting from simple single-particle superpositions and then progressing with coherent and cat states of few-body fermionic systems, we uncover how quantum coherence and few-body correlations shape the out-of-equilibrium response due to the presence of the defect. |
| format | Preprint |
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arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2508_01444 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Impact of quantum coherence on the dynamics and thermodynamics of quenched free fermions coupled to a localized defect Donelli, Beatrice De Chiara, Gabriele Scazza, Francesco Gherardini, Stefano Quantum Gases Statistical Mechanics Quantum Physics We investigate the non-equilibrium quantum dynamics and thermodynamics of free fermions suddenly coupled to a localized defect in a one-dimensional harmonic trap. This setup realizes a quantum quench transformation that gives rise to the orthogonalization of the system's wave-function as an effect of the localized perturbation. Using the Loschmidt echo and the Kirkwood-Dirac quasiprobability (KDQ) distribution of the work done by the defect, we quantify the extent and rate of the orthogonalization dynamics. In particular, we show that initializing the system in a coherent superpositions of energy eigenstates leads to non-classical features, such as Wigner function's negativity and non-positivity of the work KDQ distribution. Starting from simple single-particle superpositions and then progressing with coherent and cat states of few-body fermionic systems, we uncover how quantum coherence and few-body correlations shape the out-of-equilibrium response due to the presence of the defect. |
| title | Impact of quantum coherence on the dynamics and thermodynamics of quenched free fermions coupled to a localized defect |
| topic | Quantum Gases Statistical Mechanics Quantum Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2508.01444 |