Relaxation to Thermodynamical Equilibrium from Simulations of Quantum Dynamics

We discuss the structure and main features of the nonlinear evolution equation proposed by this author as the fundamental dynamical law within the framework of Quantum Thermodynamics. The nonlinear equation generates a dynamical group providing a unique deterministic description of irreversible, conservative relaxation towards equilibrium from any non-equilibrium state, and satisfies a very restrictive stability requirement equivalent to Hatsopoulos-Keenan statement of the second law of thermodynamics. Here, we emphasize its mathematical structure and its applicability also within other contexts, such as Classical and Quantum Statistical Mechanics, and Information Theory.We discuss the structure and main features of the nonlinear evolution equation proposed by this author as the fundamental dynamical law within the framework of Quantum Thermodynamics. The nonlinear equation generates a dynamical group providing a unique deterministic description of irreversible, conservative relaxation towards equilibrium from any non-equilibrium state, and satisfies a very restrictive stability requirement equivalent to Hatsopoulos-Keenan statement of the second law of thermodynamics. Here, we emphasize its mathematical structure and its applicability also within other contexts, such as Classical and Quantum Statistical Mechanics, and Information Theory.

arXiv:0710.2061AIP conference proceedingsJan 1, 20071 citation

Boltzmann relaxation dynamics of strongly interacting spinless fermions on a lattice

Friedemann Queißer, Sebastian Schreiber, Peter Kratzer +1 more

Motivated by the recent interest in nonequilibrium phenomena in quantum many-body systems, we study strongly interacting fermions on a lattice by deriving and numerically solving quantum Boltzmann equations that describe their relaxation to thermodynamic equilibrium. The derivation is carried out by inspecting the hierarchy of correlations within the framework of the $1/Z$ expansion. Applying the Markov approximation, we obtain the dynamic equations for the distribution functions. Interestingly, we find that in the strong-coupling limit, collisions between particles and holes dominate over particle-particle and hole-hole collisions---in stark contrast to weakly interacting systems. As a consequence, our numerical simulations show that the relaxation timescales strongly depend on the type of excitations (particles or holes or both) that are initially present.Motivated by the recent interest in nonequilibrium phenomena in quantum many-body systems, we study strongly interacting fermions on a lattice by deriving and numerically solving quantum Boltzmann equations that describe their relaxation to thermodynamic equilibrium. The derivation is carried out by inspecting the hierarchy of correlations within the framework of the $1/Z$ expansion. Applying the Markov approximation, we obtain the dynamic equations for the distribution functions. Interestingly, we find that in the strong-coupling limit, collisions between particles and holes dominate over particle-particle and hole-hole collisions---in stark contrast to weakly interacting systems. As a consequence, our numerical simulations show that the relaxation timescales strongly depend on the type of excitations (particles or holes or both) that are initially present.

arXiv:1909.12802Physical review. B./Physical review. BDec 5, 20198 citations

Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Open Quantum Systems

Daniel Matos

May 1, 20230 citations

Thermodynamic Geometry of Relaxation

Hao Wang, Li Zhao, Shuai Deng +1 more

While the geometry of equilibrium states and driven non-equilibrium processes is clearly understood, a geometric description for relaxation towards equilibrium is still lacking. Here, we propose a thermo-geometric measure based on the Rayleigh quotient, reformulating relaxation as a fundamental competition between entropic stiffness and frictional dissipation. Taking a van der Waals gas with two dissipation channels as an example, we explicitly demonstrate its relaxation landscape. Particularly, we find that upon approaching the critical temperature $T_c$ , the slow-mode relaxation rate vanishes linearly as $λ_s \propto (T-T_c)/T_c$ , indicating critical slowing down. This study completes the thermodynamic geometry framework, providing a general tool for characterizing the relaxation dynamics of complex systems.While the geometry of equilibrium states and driven non-equilibrium processes is clearly understood, a geometric description for relaxation towards equilibrium is still lacking. Here, we propose a thermo-geometric measure based on the Rayleigh quotient, reformulating relaxation as a fundamental competition between entropic stiffness and frictional dissipation. Taking a van der Waals gas with two dissipation channels as an example, we explicitly demonstrate its relaxation landscape. Particularly, we find that upon approaching the critical temperature $T_c$, the slow-mode relaxation rate vanishes linearly as $λ_s \propto (T-T_c)/T_c$, indicating critical slowing down. This study completes the thermodynamic geometry framework, providing a general tool for characterizing the relaxation dynamics of complex systems.

cond-mat.stat-mechCross-listedarXiv:2604.15000Apr 17, 2026

1/Z

expansion. Applying the Markov approximation, we obtain the dynamic equations for the distribution functions. Interestingly, we find that in the strong-coupling limit, collisions between particles and holes dominate over particle-particle and hole-hole collisions---in stark contrast to weakly interacting systems. As a consequence, our numerical simulations show that the relaxation timescales strongly depend on the type of excitations (particles or holes or both) that are initially present.

T_c

, the slow-mode relaxation rate vanishes linearly as

λ_s \propto (T-T_c)/T_c

, indicating critical slowing down. This study completes the thermodynamic geometry framework, providing a general tool for characterizing the relaxation dynamics of complex systems.