Quantum dynamics in closed Hamiltonian systems

Note: Pizza served at 11:45
Speaker: Anatoli Polkovnikov, Boston University

When: February 26, 2010 (Fri), 12:00PM to 01:00PM (add to my calendar)
Location: SCI 352

This event is part of the Biophysics/Condensed Matter Seminar Series.

Abstract:
In this talk I will overview several aspects of quantum dynamics in closed systems. In particular, I will discuss connections between quantum and thermodynamic adiabatic theorems in closed systems. Based on this connection I will introduce micsroscopic expressions for the heat and (diagonal) entropy and argue that their behavior is fully consistent with thermodynamic expectations. Next, using a particular example of an XY-model, I will argue that time evolution in interacting systems can be understood as a renormalization group process in real time. And finally in the last part of the talk I will briefly discuss phase space representation of quantum mechanics and connections between quantum and classical dynamics.