The quantum Mpemba effect in closed systems: from theory to experiment
Abstract
Abstract The Mpemba effect refers to a counterintuitive phenomenon whereby a system initially prepared further from equilibrium may relax faster than one prepared closer to equilibrium. While extensively studied in classical nonequilibrium physics, its extension to isolated quantum systems only started in the last few years. In this contribution we review recent progress on the quantum Mpemba effect in closed many-body systems, emphasizing the role of reduced density matrix, entanglement and symmetry restoration. We discuss why and how the entanglement asymmetry provides a natural and experimentally accessible framework to characterize Mpemba-like behavior in unitary quantum evolution.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Quantum many-body systems
Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Statistical Mechanics Theory and Experiment
- Publisher
- IOP Publishing
- Volume
- 2026
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 034002–034002
- Publication date
- 1 March 2026