Many-body localization, symmetry and topology. (4th July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parameswaran, S A; Vasseur, Romain
• Is Part Of: Reports on progress in physics. Volume 81:Number 8(2018:Aug.)
• Publication Date: 2018-07-04
• Subjects: localization -- topological phases -- non-equilibrium phenomena; Physics -- Periodicals; 530.05
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-6633/aac9ed
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-4885

Abstract

Abstract: We review recent developments in the study of out-of-equilibrium topological states of matter in isolated systems. The phenomenon of many-body localization, exhibited by some isolated systems usually in the presence of quenched disorder, prevents systems from equilibrating to a thermal state where the delicate quantum correlations necessary for topological order are often washed out. Instead, many-body localized systems can exhibit a type of eigenstate phase structure wherein their entire many-body spectrum is characterized by various types of quantum order, usually restricted to quantum ground states. After introducing many-body localization and explaining how it can protect quantum order, we then explore how the interplay of symmetry and dimensionality with many-body localization constrains its role in stabilizing topological phases out of equilibrium.