Noncommuting conserved charges in quantum thermodynamics and beyond

TitleNoncommuting conserved charges in quantum thermodynamics and beyond
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsMajidy, S, Braasch, WF, Lasek, A, Upadhyaya, T, Kalev, A, Halpern, NYunger
JournalNature Reviews Physics
Date Published9/7/2023
Abstract

Thermodynamic systems typically conserve quantities ("charges") such as energy and particle number. The charges are often assumed implicitly to commute with each other. Yet quantum phenomena such as uncertainty relations rely on observables' failure to commute. How do noncommuting charges affect thermodynamic phenomena? This question, upon arising at the intersection of quantum information theory and thermodynamics, spread recently across many-body physics. Charges' noncommutation has been found to invalidate derivations of the thermal state's form, decrease entropy production, conflict with the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, and more. This Perspective surveys key results in, opportunities for, and work adjacent to the quantum thermodynamics of noncommuting charges. Open problems include a conceptual puzzle: Evidence suggests that noncommuting charges may hinder thermalization in some ways while enhancing thermalization in others.

URLhttps://arxiv.org/abs/2306.00054
DOI10.1038/s42254-023-00641-9