Eigenstate thermalization on average.

Dunlop, Joe; Cohen, Oliver; Short, Anthony J · Phys Rev E · 2021

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We consider conditions under which an isolated quantum system approaches a microcanonical equilibrium state. A key component is the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, which proposes that all energy eigenstates appear thermal. We introduce a weaker version of this requirement, applying only to the average distinguishability of eigenstates from the thermal state, and investigate its necessity and sufficiency for thermalization.