Quantum Transport and Eigenstate Thermalisation

How irreversible thermodynamics emerges from the unitary dynamics of the Schrödinger equation is a question that has been asked since the inception of quantum theory itself. One modern take on the issue is the Eigenstate Thermalisation Hypothesis. In this talk I will give a pedagogical introduction to the Eigenstate thermalisation hypothesis with special emphasis on the connection between off diagonal matrix elements of local observables and quantum transport. I will then give an overview and discussion of results from some recent works coming from the TCD group on the topic – in particular exploring integrality breaking with local perturbation.

Presented by John Goold 29-10-2020.