Strong and Weak Many-Body Localizations

TL;DR

This paper distinguishes two types of many-body localization (MBL) phases—strong and weak—based on their origin, statistical properties, and potential applications, using real-space renormalization group analysis.

Contribution

It introduces a novel classification of MBL phases into strong and weak types, supported by analysis of their probability distributions and underlying mechanisms.

Findings

Strong MBL induced by quasiperiodic potential shows exponential decay.

Weak MBL induced by random potential exhibits power-law decay.

Strong MBL may be more suitable for quantum information storage.

Abstract

Many aspects of many-body localization (MBL), including dynamic classification of MBL phases, remain elusive. Here, by performing real-space renormalization group (RSRG) analysis we propose that there are two distinct types of MBL phases: "strong MBL" induced by quasiperiodic (QP) potential and "weak MBL" induced by random potential. Strong and weak MBL phases can be distinguished by their different probability distributions of thermal inclusion and entanglement entropy: exponential decay in strong MBL phases but power-law decay in weak MBL. We further discuss underlying mechanisms as well as experimental implications of having two distinct types of MBL phases. Strong MBL induced by QP potential may provide a more robust and promising platform for quantum information storage and processing.