ICTP Mathematics Seminar - Thursday 28 April at 16:30 (Change of time)

[Math Group]

BASIC  NOTIONS  SEMINAR  SERIES  2016


Thursday, 28 April, at 16.30 hrs. (please note change of time)



Antonello Scardicchio (ICTP)


Title: The theoretical bases of quantum statistical mechanics and a 
recently identified mechanism for their failure



Abstract:
I will review the basic physical hypothesis on the microscopic dynamics 
of a quantum system which are made to justify its approximate treatment 
with the tools of statistical mechanics. In particular, I will focus on 
the modern treatment of the ergodic hypothesis, the Eigenstate 
Thermalisation Hypothesis (or ETH). The prominent failure mode in 
generic quantum systems is called Many-Body Localization (or MBL) and it 
is at the core of the current research on the foundations of statistical 
mechanics.

VENUE:  Budinich Lecture Hall (ICTP Leonardo da Vinci Building)