Strong correlations in lossy one-dimensional quantum gases: from the quantum Zeno effect to the generalized Gibbs ensemble

TL;DR

This paper develops a rate equation framework to describe the dynamics of strongly lossy one-dimensional bosonic gases, linking the quantum Zeno effect with the generalized Gibbs ensemble, and predicts observable long-term behaviors.

Contribution

It introduces a simple set of rate equations that incorporate both coherent evolution and two-body losses, connecting quantum Zeno dynamics with the generalized Gibbs ensemble in many-body systems.

Findings

Accurate description of gas dynamics in the quantum Zeno regime.

Long-time behavior deviates from mean-field predictions.

Potential experimental observation with Ytterbium atoms.

Abstract

We consider strong two-body losses in bosonic gases trapped in one-dimensional optical lattices. We exploit the separation of time scales typical of a system in the many-body quantum Zeno regime to establish a connection with the theory of the time-dependent generalized Gibbs ensemble. Our main result is a simple set of rate equations that capture the simultaneous action of coherent evolution and two-body losses. This treatment gives an accurate description of the dynamics of a gas prepared in a Mott insulating state and shows that its long-time behaviour deviates significantly from mean-field analyses. The possibility of observing our predictions in an experiment with $^{174}$Yb in a metastable state is also discussed.