Corr-NEQM SIGNED

Project "Corr-NEQM" data sheet

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 Partnership

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 Project objective

Non-equilibrium states of matter occur in a wide range of systems. From microscopic scales of atoms and electrons to stars and galaxies in the universe. These phenomena have observable effects measurable by humans. In many of these systems the laws of thermodynamics do not apply. In spite of the ubiquity of non-equilibrium states, their universal understanding is still rudimentary. A general description of out of equilibrium states is of fundamental importance and can potentially spur technological innovation. Therefore, non-equilibrium systems host a family of questions which can be a source of knowledge and benefit to humankind.

In this proposal I will tackle several open problems on correlated non-equilibrium quantum states in condensed matter physics. The remarkable twin discoveries of many-body localization (MBL) and time crystals have opened a new paradigm for non-equilibrium matter where an interacting quantum system violates the laws of equilibrium thermodynamics. By amalgamating tools and ideas from quantum information science, I will theoretically investigate these phenomena in regimes which are thus far unexplored. It will shed new light on MBL in higher dimensions and effect of long range interactions, a common feature in many physical systems. I will explicate the formation of discrete time crystals, a new phase of matter with broken time-translational symmetry, in dissipative systems. Until recently, MBL was considered to be an essential ingredient for time-crystallinity. The project will unravel the underlying principles of dissipative time crystals and the crossover from their semi-classical realization to the purely quantum effect protected by MBL. I will also predict smoking-gun signatures of these phenomena which are testable in semiconductor nanostructures. An answer to these vital questions will provide a deeper understanding of fundamental physics and may open new avenues for spatio-temporal control of entanglement in many-body quantum states.