New phenomena in non-equilibrium quantum physics
Contributors: Demler, Eugene; Greiner, Markus; Sachdev, Subir
Published: 2013
Language: eng
Description: From its beginning in the early 20th century, quantum theory has become progressively more important especially due to its contributions to the development of technologies. Quantum mechanics is crucial for current technology such as semiconductors, and also holds promise for future technologies such as superconductors and quantum computing. Despite of the success of quantum theory, its applications have been mostly limited to equilibrium or static systems due to 1. lack of experimental controllability of non-equilibrium quantum systems 2. lack of theoretical frameworks to understand non-equilibrium dynamics. Consequently, physicists have not yet discovered too many interesting phenomena in non-equilibrium quantum systems from both theoretical and experimental point of view and thus, non-equilibrium quantum physics did not attract too much attentions.
Notes: Keywords: non-equilibrium, periodically driven system, Prethermalization, quantum mechanics, Quantum walk, Topological phase.

Thesis Ph.D. Harvard University 2013