Quantum quenches in isolated quantum glasses out of equilibrium

In this work, we address the question of how a closed quantum system thermalises in the presence of a random external potential. By investigating the quench dynamics of the isolated quantum spherical $p$-spin model, a paradigmatic model of a mean-field glass, we aim to shed new light on this complex problem. Employing a closed-time Schwinger-Keldysh path integral formalism, we first initialise the system in a random, infinite-temperature configuration and allow it to equilibrate in contact with a thermal bath before switching off the bath and performing a quench. We find evidence that increasing the strength of either the interactions or the quantum fluctuations can act to lower the effective temperature of the isolated system and stabilise glassy behaviour.

No reviews yet.

No comments yet.