Universality, robustness, and limits of the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis in open quantum systems

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Gabriel Almeida - , University of Lisbon (Author)
  • Pedro Ribeiro - , University of Lisbon, China Academy of Engineering Physics (Author)
  • Masudul Haque - , Chair of Theoretical Solid State Physics (Author)
  • Lucas Sá - , University of Cambridge (Author)

Abstract

The eigenstate thermalization hypothesis (ETH) underpins much of our modern understanding of the thermalization of closed quantum many-body systems. Here, we investigate the statistical properties of observables in the eigenbasis of the Lindbladian operator of a Markovian open quantum system. We demonstrate the validity of a Lindbladian ETH ansatz through extensive numerical simulations of several physical models. To highlight the robustness of Lindbladian ETH, we consider what we dub the dilute-click regime of the model, in which one postselects only quantum trajectories with a finite fraction of quantum jumps. The average dynamics are generated by a nontrace-preserving Liouvillian, and we show that the Lindbladian ETH ansatz still holds in this case. On the other hand, the no-click limit is a singular point at which the Lindbladian reduces to a doubled non-Hermitian Hamiltonian and Lindbladian ETH breaks down.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numberL012101
Number of pages7
JournalPhysical Review E
Volume113
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2026
Peer-reviewedYes