arXiv · 2601.05627
Chaos, thermalization and breakdown of quantum-classical correspondence in a collective many-body system
Abstract
We investigate thermalization and the quantum-classical correspondence in the collective Bose-Hubbard model, focusing on the four-site case. Our analysis of the classical phase-space structure and its excited-state quantum phase transitions leads us to three dynamical regimes: symmetry-breaking low-energy states, an intermediate region where quantum and classical equilibrium states markedly disagree, and a high-energy regime with restored correspondence. The observed classical intermittency above the first excited-state quantum phase transition contrasts with quantum dynamics, which remains trapped in symmetry-breaking sectors despite the existence of a classically connected phase. This mismatch originates from the population of imbalance-carrying eigenstates and persists even for relatively large number of particles. Our results reveal unexpectedly slow convergence to the classical limit, signaling robust finite-size effects in collective many-body dynamics.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
Ángel L. Corps, Sebastián Gómez, Pavel Stránský, Armando Relaño, Pavel Cejnar. 2026-01-09. Chaos, thermalization and breakdown of quantum-classical correspondence in a collective many-body system. https://doi.org/10.1103/vsyl-21mr
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.