I consider the non-equilibrium time evolution (quantum quench) of a class of pure states under the Hamiltonian of an integrable model. At late times after the quench, it is believed that the expectation values of local operators approach time-independent values that are described by a generalized Gibbs ensemble. I discuss the essential features of the stationary state and present some recent results on global quenches in the spin-1/2 Heisenberg XXZ chain. Finally, I go into the issue of relaxation and pre-relaxation in integrable models.


Seminar, January 17, 2014, 12:00. Seminar Room

Hosted by Prof. Maciej Lewenstein