Theory Seminar: Quantum simulation of gauge theories out of equilibrium: From quantum thermodynamics and thermalization to string breaking and bubble nucleation

Prof. Zohreh Davoudi
University of Maryland
Theory Seminar, at the Lecture Hall
Tuesday, March 17, 14:00 CET 

The universe has evolved from a far-from-equilibrium state post Big Bang. High-energy particle colliders stride to recreate such nonequilibrium conditions in experiment, to reach densities and temperatures necessary for generating some of the most short-lived states of matter, and to unravel equilibration and hadronization mechanisms. Theoretical studies of matter out of equilibrium, rooted in the fundamental gauge theories of nature, often require simulations that are intractable with classical computing. Quantum simulators have started to probe out-of-equilibrium physics of quantum many-body systems in recent years. They have further shown promise in probing gauge-theory dynamics, and continue to grow in scale, complexity, and relevance. In this talk, I will present examples of such studies in gauge theories so as to give a picture of the status of developments: accessing thermodynamics quantities such as quantum-work and quantum-heat in experiment; probing thermalization stages from entanglement spectra; and illuminating string-breaking and bubble-nucleation mechanisms across a discontinuous quantum phase transition.