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- Title
Quantum simulation of thermodynamics in an integrated quantum photonic processor.
- Authors
Somhorst, F. H. B.; van der Meer, R.; Correa Anguita, M.; Schadow, R.; Snijders, H. J.; de Goede, M.; Kassenberg, B.; Venderbosch, P.; Taballione, C.; Epping, J. P.; van den Vlekkert, H. H.; Timmerhuis, J.; Bulmer, J. F. F.; Lugani, J.; Walmsley, I. A.; Pinkse, P. W. H.; Eisert, J.; Walk, N.; Renema, J. J.
- Abstract
One of the core questions of quantum physics is how to reconcile the unitary evolution of quantum states, which is information-preserving and time-reversible, with evolution following the second law of thermodynamics, which, in general, is neither. The resolution to this paradox is to recognize that global unitary evolution of a multi-partite quantum state causes the state of local subsystems to evolve towards maximum-entropy states. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate this effect in linear quantum optics by simultaneously showing the convergence of local quantum states to a generalized Gibbs ensemble constituting a maximum-entropy state under precisely controlled conditions, while introducing an efficient certification method to demonstrate that the state retains global purity. Our quantum states are manipulated by a programmable integrated quantum photonic processor, which simulates arbitrary non-interacting Hamiltonians, demonstrating the universality of this phenomenon. Our results show the potential of photonic devices for quantum simulations involving non-Gaussian states. The emergence of relaxation in unitarily evolving systems can be seen as a paradox, but not once the distinction between local and global dynamics is considered. Here, the authors use photons in an integrated optical interferometer to show that, for a system evolving unitarily on a global level, single-mode measurements converge to those of a thermal state.
- Subjects
QUANTUM thermodynamics; QUANTUM theory; QUANTUM optics; QUANTUM states; SECOND law of thermodynamics; OPTICAL interferometers
- Publication
Nature Communications, 2023, Vol 14, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2041-1723
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41467-023-38413-9