New equilibrium ensembles for isolated quantum systems

The unitary dynamics of isolated quantum systems does not allow a pure state to thermalize. Because of that, if an isolated quantum system equilibrates, it will do so to the predictions of the so-called "diagonal ensemble" $\rho_{DE}$. Building on the intuition provided by Jaynes' maximum entropy principle, in this paper we present a novel technique to generate progressively better approximations to $\rho_{DE}$. As an example, we write down a hierarchical set of ensembles which can be used to describe the equilibrium physics of small isolated quantum systems, going beyond the "thermal ansatz" of Gibbs ensembles.Comment: Paper written for the Special Issue "Thermalization in Isolated Quantum Systems" of the Journal Entrop

Information-theoretic equilibrium and observable thermalization

To understand under which conditions thermodynamics emerges from the microscopic dynamics is the ultimate goal of statistical mechanics. Despite the fact that the theory is more than 100 years old, we are still discussing its foundations and its regime of applicability. A point of crucial importance is the definition of the notion of thermal equilibrium, which is given as the state that maximises the von Neumann entropy. Here we argue that it is necessary to propose a new way of describing thermal equilibrium, focused on observables rather than on the full state of the quantum system. We characterise the notion of thermal equilibrium, for a given observable, via the maximisation of its Shannon entropy and highlight the thermal properties that such a principle heralds. The relation with Gibbs ensembles is brought to light. Furthermore, we apply such a notion of equilibrium to a closed quantum systems and prove that there is always a class of observables which exhibits thermal equilibrium properties and we give a recipe to explicitly construct them. Eventually, we bring to light an intimate connection of such a principle with the Eigenstate Thermalisation Hypothesis.Comment: Accepted by Scientific Repor

Pure states statistical mechanics: On its foundations and applications to quantum gravity

The project concerns the interplay among quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, in isolated quantum systems. The underlying goal is to improve our understanding of the concept of thermal equilibrium in quantum systems. First, I investigated the role played by observables and measurements in the emergence of thermal behaviour. This led to a new notion of thermal equilibrium which is specific for a given observable, rather than for the whole state of the system. The equilibrium picture that emerges is a generalization of statistical mechanics in which we are not interested in the state of the system but only in the outcome of the measurement process. I investigated how this picture relates to one of the most promising approaches for the emergence of thermal behaviour in isolated quantum systems: the Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis. Then, I applied the results to study some equilibrium properties of many-body localised systems. Despite the localization phenomenon, which prevents thermalization of subsystems, I was able to show that we can still use the predictions of statistical mechanics to describe the equilibrium of some observables. Moreover, the intuition developed in the process led me to propose an experimentally accessible way to unravel the interacting nature of many-body localised systems. Second, I exploited the "Concentration of Measure" phenomenon to study the macroscopic properties of the basis states of Loop Quantum Gravity. These techniques were previously used to explain why the thermal behaviour in quantum systems is such an ubiquitous phenomenon, at the macroscopic scale. I focused on the local properties, their thermodynamic behaviour and interplay with the semiclassical limit. This was motivated by the necessity to understand, from a quantum gravity perspective, how and why a classical horizon exhibits thermal properties.Comment: PhD Thesis - University of Oxford - Comments and questions are welcome and encouraged

Geometric Quantum State Estimation

Density matrices capture all of a quantum system's statistics accessible through projective and positive operator-valued measurements. They do not completely determine its state, however, as they neglect the physical realization of ensembles. Fortunately, the concept of geometric quantum state does properly describe physical ensembles. Here, given knowledge of a density matrix, possibly arising from a tomography protocol, we show how to estimate the geometric quantum state using a maximum entropy principle based on a geometrically-appropriate entropy.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures; Supplementary Material: 2 pages; http://csc.ucdavis.edu/~cmg/compmech/pubs/qgse.ht

Geometric Quantum Thermodynamics

Building on parallels between geometric quantum mechanics and classical mechanics, we explore an alternative basis for quantum thermodynamics that exploits the differential geometry of the underlying state space. We develop both microcanonical and canonical ensembles, introducing continuous mixed states as distributions on the manifold of quantum states. We call out the experimental consequences for a gas of qudits. We define quantum heat and work in an intrinsic way, including single-trajectory work, and reformulate thermodynamic entropy in a way that accords with classical, quantum, and information-theoretic entropies. We give both the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics and Jarzynki's Fluctuation Theorem. The result is a more transparent physics, than conventionally available, in which the mathematical structure and physical intuitions underlying classical and quantum dynamics are seen to be closely aligned.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure; Supplementary Material: 7 pages; http://csc.ucdavis.edu/~cmg/compmech/pubs/gqt.ht

Beyond Density Matrices: Geometric Quantum States

A quantum system's state is identified with a density matrix. Though their probabilistic interpretation is rooted in ensemble theory, density matrices embody a known shortcoming. They do not completely express an ensemble's physical realization. Conveniently, when working only with the statistical outcomes of projective and positive operator-valued measurements this is not a hindrance. To track ensemble realizations and so remove the shortcoming, we explore geometric quantum states and explain their physical significance. We emphasize two main consequences: one in quantum state manipulation and one in quantum thermodynamics.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure; Supplementary Material: 2 pages; http://csc.ucdavis.edu/~cmg/compmech/pubs/rgqs.ht

Loop gravity, twisted geometries and torsion

It has been shown that discretization of General Relativity admit a geometric interpretation via the so-called twisted geometries, that differ from the Regge calculus because they lack of the shape- matching conditions. However it is still not clear whether or not they are full dynamical objects or just a kinematical arena and the dynamics will deal with a Regge-like geometry. The main goal of the thesis is to investigate the dynamical arising of these conditions as secondary constraint in a simple twisted-geometries’ discretisation of a flat space-time, triangulated with the graph of a single 4- simplex. The stability procedure pointed out the presence of secondary constraints which are equivalent to the well-known shape-matching conditions

A quantum particle in a box with moving walls

We analyze the non-relativistic problem of a quantum particle that bounces back and forth between two moving walls. We recast this problem into the equivalent one of a quantum particle in a fixed box whose dynamics is governed by an appropriate time-dependent Schroedinger operator.Comment: 12 pages, 0 figure