Ideal quantum glass transitions: many-body localization without quenched disorder

TL;DR

This paper predicts a genuine quantum phase transition to a glassy, non-ergodic state in translationally invariant many-body systems, driven purely by quantum effects without quenched disorder.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of an ideal quantum glass transition as a many-body localization transition without quenched disorder, challenging existing notions of MBL systems.

Findings

Predicts a quantum phase transition to a glassy state

Shows disorder-free quantum glasses lack extensive local conserved operators

Demonstrates spontaneous breakdown of ergodicity and translational invariance

Abstract

We explore the possibility for translationally invariant quantum many-body systems to undergo a dynamical glass transition, at which ergodicity and translational invariance break down spontaneously, driven entirely by quantum effects. In contrast to analogous classical systems, where the existence of such an ideal glass transition remains a controversial issue, a genuine phase transition is predicted in the quantum regime. This ideal quantum glass transition can be regarded as a many-body localization transition due to self-generated disorder. Despite their lack of thermalization, these disorder-free quantum glasses do not possess an extensive set of local conserved operators, unlike what is conjectured for many-body localized systems with strong quenched disorder.