Ensemble inequivalence in long-range quantum spin systems

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Authors: Daniel Arrufat-Vicente, David Mukamel, Stefano Ruffo, Nicolò Defenu
Cited by: 1
References: 77

Abstract

Ensemble inequivalence, where a system's thermodynamic properties depend on the statistical ensemble used to describe it, is a well-established phenomenon in classical systems with long-range interactions. Here, we present a detailed analysis of a quantum ferromagnet spin model that exhibits this same behavior. We find that the microcanonical and canonical phase diagrams are identical at zero temperature ( T = 0 ), but differ significantly at finite temperatures. Our results highlight a breakdown of ensemble equivalence in this quantum long-range model, contrasting with what is observed for short range. These findings have important implications for the study and manipulation of long-range interacting quantum platforms, such as those used in atomic, molecular, and optical physics.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Quantum Information and Cryptography Quantum many-body systems Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture

Publication details

Journal / source
Physical Review Research
Publisher
American Physical Society (APS)
Volume
8
Issue
1
Publication date
13 January 2026
Language
EN