Physics Colloquium

Synthetic quantum devices, with their unprecedented controllability, have opened up a vast new domain for many-body physics. The operation of such devices naturally implements dynamics that is highly out-of-equilibrium, giving us controlled access to "active" quantum matter for the first time. Indeed the implementation of any quantum algorithm is inherently a non-equilibrium process. These devices also allow for programmable interactions, which can realize various, possibly non-Euclidean, effective geometries;  these are relevant for various applications, including the realization of certain families of  "LDPC" error correcting codes defined by local constraints between (qu)bits living on non-Euclidean expander graphs.   I will describe some highlights of an active research program to advance many-body theory beyond traditional settings, with a view towards uncovering novel emergent phenomena in non-equilibrium and/or non-Euclidean regimes. A unifying theme will be the description of various settings in which the thermodynamic and dynamic descriptions of systems are distinct. 

Join via Zoom:
https://caltech.zoom.us/j/81866929019
Meeting ID: 818 6692 9019

The colloquium is held in Feynman Lecture Hall, 201 E. Bridge.