Prethermalization in a Non-Equilibrium Many-Body Quantum System

Non-equilibrium many-body quantum systems are not very well understood, particularly with regard to how these systems reach thermal equilibrium. Through the use of one-dimensional ultracold quantum gases, it is possible to monitor the evolution of such a non-equilibrium system and observe the many-body phenomenon prethermalization. In a prethermalized state, certain observables can appear thermal, i.e. in equilibrium, when the system has not in fact reached thermal equilibrium. Such a state has ramifications for fields as diverse as high-energy physics, cosmology and condensed matter, not to mention the production of any future quantum technology that requires the use of non-equilibrium many-body systems