arXiv subjects

Christiaan J. F. van de Ven

Publications and source records attributed to Christiaan J. F. van de Ven.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Subcriticality at High Temperatures in Spin Lattice Systems

We provide new sufficient conditions for subcriticality of classical and quantum spin lattice systems, formulated in terms of the uniqueness of Kubo-Martin-Schwinger (KMS) states. This is achieved by exploiting a non-commutative analog of the Kirkwood-Salzburg equations together with a novel decomposition of local observables. In contrast to standard approaches \cite{Bratteli_Robinson_97,Frohlich_Ueltschi_2015}, our condition is uniform with respect to the dimension of the single-site Hilbert space. Moreover, unlike the results of \cite{Drago_Pettinari_Van_de_Ven_2025}, which required control over the growth of the derivatives of the interaction potentials, our result only involves estimating the natural $C^*$-norm of these potentials. This substantially enlarges the class of interactions for which the theorems apply and provides better lower bounds on the subcritical inverse temperature.

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arXiv2026

Coupling of the continuum and semiclassical limit. Part I: convergence of eigenvalues

We analyze the semiclassical $d$-dimensional Schrödinger operator in the continuum $ \frac{1}{2} Δ+ λ_N^2 V$ discretized on a mesh with spacing proportional to $1/N$. The semi-classical parameter $λ_N$ is chosen as $λ_N = N^{1 - γ}$, with $γ\in (-1,1)$, which ensures that $N$ governs both the semiclassical and continuum limit simultaneously. We prove that all eigenvalues of the discrete operator converge to those of the continuum, as $λ_N\to\infty$. Beyond this semi-classical domain, in the case of the harmonic oscillator, we further discuss the spectral asymptotics for $γ\in \mathbb{R} \setminus (-1,1)$, thereby fully characterizing the eigenvalue behavior across all possible values of $γ\in\mathbb{R}$.

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arXiv2025

GLT hidden structures in mean-field quantum spin systems

This work explores structured matrix sequences arising in mean-field quantum spin systems. We express these sequences within the framework of generalized locally Toeplitz (GLT) $*$-algebras, leveraging the fact that each GLT matrix sequence has a unique GLT symbol. This symbol characterizes both the asymptotic singular value distribution and, for Hermitian or quasi-Hermitian sequences, the asymptotic spectral distribution. Specifically, we analyze two cases of real symmetric matrix sequences stemming from mean-field quantum spin systems and determine their associated distributions using GLT theory. Our study concludes with visualizations and numerical tests that validate the theoretical findings, followed by a discussion of open problems and future directions.

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arXiv2025

Classical and quantum KMS states on spin lattice systems

We study the classical and quantum KMS conditions within the context of spin lattice systems. Specifically, we define a strict deformation quantization (SDQ) for a $\mathbb{S}^2$-valued spin lattice system over $\mathbb{Z}^d$ generalizing the renown Berezin SDQ for a single sphere. This allows to promote a classical dynamics on the algebra of classical observables to a quantum dynamics on the algebra of quantum observables. We then compare the notion of classical and quantum thermal equilibrium by showing that any weak*-limit point of a sequence of quantum KMS states fulfils the classical KMS condition. In short, this proves that the semiclassical limit of quantum thermal states describes classical thermal equilibrium, strenghtening the physical interpretation of the classical KMS condition. Finally we provide two sufficient conditions ensuring uniqueness of classical and quantum KMS states: The latter are based on an version of the Kirkwood-Salzburg equations adapted to the system of interest. As a consequence we identify a mild condition which ensures uniqueness of classical KMS states and of quantum KMS states for the quantized dynamics for a common sufficiently high temperature.

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arXiv2024

Large deviations in mean-field quantum spin systems

Continuous fields (or bundles) of $C^*$-algebras form an important ingredient for describing emergent phenomena, such as phase transitions and spontaneous symmetry breaking. In this work, we consider the continuous $C^*$-bundle generated by increasing symmetric tensor powers of the complex $\ell\times\ell$ matrices $M_\ell(\mathbb{C})$, which can be interpreted as abstract description of mean-field theories defining the macroscopic limit of infinite quantum systems. Within this framework we discuss the principle of large deviations for the local Gibbs state in the high temperature regime and characterize the limit of the ensuing logarithmic generating function.

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arXiv2024

Strict deformation quantization and local spin interactions

We define a strict deformation quantization which is compatible with any Hamiltonian with local spin interaction (e.g. the Heisenberg Hamiltonian) for a spin chain. This is a generalization of previous results known for mean-field theories. The main idea is to study the asymptotic properties of a suitably defined algebra of sequences invariant under the group generated by a cyclic permutation. Our point of view is similar to the one adopted by Landsman, Moretti and van de Ven, who considered a strict deformation quantization for the case of mean-field theories. However, the methods for a local spin interaction are considerably more involved, due to the presence of a strictly smaller symmetry group.

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arXiv2023

Gibbs states and their classical limit

A continuous bundle of $C^*$-algebras provides a rigorous framework to study the thermodynamic limit of quantum theories. If the bundle admits the additional structure of a strict deformation quantization (in the sense of Rieffel) one is allowed to study the classical limit of the quantum system, i.e. a mathematical formalism that examines the convergence of algebraic quantum states to probability measures on phase space (typically a Poisson or symplectic manifold). In this manner we first prove the existence of the classical limit of Gibbs states illustrated with a class of Schrödinger operators in the regime where Planck's constant $\hbar$ appearing in front of the Laplacian approaches zero. We additionally show that the ensuing limit corresponds to the unique probability measure satisfying the so-called classical or static KMS- condition. Subsequently, we conduct a similar study on the free energy of mean-field quantum spin systems in the regime of large particles, and discuss the existence of the classical limit of the relevant Gibbs states. Finally, a short section is devoted to single site quantum spin systems in the large spin limit.

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arXiv2023

Emergent phenomena in Nature: a paradox with Theory?

The existence of various physical phenomena stems from the concept called asymptotic emergence, that is, they seem to be exclusively reserved for certain limiting theories. Important examples are spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) and phase transitions: these would only occur in the classical or thermodynamic limit of underlying finite quantum systems, since for finite quantum systems, due to the uniqueness of the relevant states, such phenomena are excluded by Theory. In Nature, however, finite quantum systems describing real materials clearly exhibit such effects. In this paper we discuss these apparently ``paradoxical'' phenomena and outline various ideas and mechanisms that encompass both theory and reality, from physical and mathematical points of view.

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arXiv2023

DLR-KMS correspondence on lattice spin systems

The Dobrushin-Lanford-Ruelle (DLR) condition and the classical Kubo-Martin-Schwinger (KMS) condition are considered in the context of classical lattice systems. In particular, we prove that these conditions are equivalent for the case of a lattice spin system with values in a compact symplectic manifold by showing that infinite volume Gibbs states are in bijection with KMS states.

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arXiv2022

The classical limit and spontaneous symmetry breaking in algebraic quantum theory

In this paper an overview of some recent developments on the classical limit and spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) in algebraic quantum theory is given. In such works, based on the theory of $C^*$-algebras, the concept of the classical limit has been formalized in a complete algebraic manner. Additionally, since this setting allows for commutative as well as non-commutative $C^*$-algebras, and hence for classical and quantum theories, it provides an excellent framework to study SBB as an emergent phenomenon when transitioning from the quantum to the classical world by turning off a semi-classical parameter. We summarize the main results and show that this algebraic approach sheds new light on the connection between the classical and the quantum realm, where particular emphasis is placed on the role of SSB in Theory versus Nature. To this end a detailed analysis is carried out and illustrated with three different physical models: Schrödinger operators, mean-field quantum spin systems and the Bose-Hubbard model.

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arXiv2021

Injective tensor products in strict deformation quantization

The aim of this paper is two-fold. Firstly we provide necessary and sufficient criteria for the existence of a strict deformation quantization of algebraic tensor products of Poisson algebras, and secondly, we discuss the existence of products of KMS states. As an application, we discuss the correspondence between quantum and classical Hamiltonians in spin systems and we provide a relation between the resolvent of Schödinger operators for non-interacting many-particle systems and quantization maps.

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arXiv2021

The classical limit of Schrödinger operators in the framework of Berezin quantization and spontaneous symmetry breaking as emergent phenomenon

The algebraic properties of a strict deformation quantization are analysed on the classical phase space $\bR^{2n}$. The corresponding quantization maps enable us to take the limit for $\hbar \to 0$ of a suitable sequence of algebraic vector states induced by $\hbar$-dependent eigenvectors of several quantum models, in which the sequence converges to a probability measure on $\bR^{2n}$, defining a classical algebraic state. The observables are here represented in terms of a Berezin quantization map which associates classical observables (functions on the phase space) to quantum observables (elements of $C^*$ algebras) parametrized by $\hbar$. The existence of this classical limit is in particular proved for ground states of a wide class of Schrödinger operators, where the classical limiting state is obtained in terms of a Haar integral. The support of the classical state (a probability measure on the phase space) is included in certain orbits in $\bR^{2n}$ depending on the symmetry of the potential. In addition, since this $C^*$-algebraic approach allows for both quantum and classical theories, it is highly suitable to study the theoretical concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) as an emergent phenomenon when passing from the quantum realm to the classical world by switching off $\hbar$. To this end, a detailed mathematical description is outlined and it is shown how this algebraic approach sheds new light on spontaneous symmetry breaking in several physical models.

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arXiv2020

The classical limit of mean-field quantum spin systems

The theory of strict deformation quantization of the two sphere $S^2\subset\mathbb{R}^3$ is used to prove the existence of the classical limit of mean-field quantum spin chains, whose ensuing Hamiltonians are denoted by $H_N$ and where $N$ indicates the number of sites. Indeed, since the fibers $A_{1/N}=M_{N+1}(\mathbb{C})$ and $A_0=C(S^2)$ form a continuous bundle of $C^*$-algebras over the base space $I=\{0\}\cup 1/\mathbb{N}^*\subset[0,1]$, one can define a strict deformation quantization of $A_0$ where quantization is specified by certain quantization maps $Q_{1/N}: \tilde{A}_0 \rightarrow A_{1/N}$, with $\tilde{A}_0$ a dense Poisson subalgebra of $A_0$. Given now a sequence of such $H_N$, we show that under some assumptions a sequence of eigenvectors $ψ_N$ of $H_N$ has a classical limit in the sense that $ω_0(f):=\lim_{N\to\infty}\langleψ_N,Q_{1/N}(f)ψ_N\rangle$ exists as a state on $A_0$ given by $ω_0(f)=\frac{1}{n}\sum_{i=1}^nf(Ω_i)$, where $n$ is some natural number. We give an application regarding spontaneous symmetry breaking (SSB) and moreover we show that the spectrum of such a mean-field quantum spin system converges to the range of some polynomial in three real variables restricted to the sphere $S^2$.

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arXiv2019

Strict deformation quantization of the state space of $M_k(\mathbb{C})$ with applications to the Curie-Weiss model

Increasing tensor powers of the $k\times k$ matrices $M_k({\mathbb{C}})$ are known to give rise to a continuous bundle of $C^*$-algebras over $I=\{0\}\cup 1/\mathbb{N}\subset[0,1]$ with fibers $A_{1/N}=M_k({\mathbb{C}})^{\otimes N}$ and $A_0=C(X_k)$, where $X_k=S(M_k({\mathbb{C}}))$, the state space of $M_k({\mathbb{C}})$, which is canonically a compact Poisson manifold (with stratified boundary). Our first result is the existence of a strict deformation quantization of $X_k$ à la Rieffel, defined by perfectly natural quantization maps $Q_{1/N}: \tilde{A}_0\rightarrow A_{1/N}$ (where $\tilde{A}_0$ is an equally natural dense Poisson subalgebra of $A_0$). We apply this quantization formalism to the Curie--Weiss model (an exemplary quantum spin with long-range forces) in the parameter domain where its $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry is spontaneously broken in the thermodynamic limit $N\raw\infty$. If this limit is taken with respect to the macroscopic observables of the model (as opposed to the quasi-local observables), it yields a classical theory with phase space $X_2\cong B^3$ (i.e\ the unit three-ball in $\R^3$). Our quantization map then enables us to take the classical limit of the sequence of (unique) algebraic vector states induced by the ground state eigenvectors $Ψ_N^{(0)}$ of this model as $N\raw\infty$, in which the sequence converges to a probability measure $μ$ on the associated classical phase space $X_2$. This measure is a symmetric convex sum of two Dirac measures related by the underlying $\Z_2$-symmetry of the model, and as such the classical limit exhibits spontaneous symmetry breaking, too. Our proof of convergence is heavily based on Perelomov-style coherent spin states and at some stage it relies on (quite strong) numerical evidence. Hence the proof is not completely analytic, but somewhat hybrid.

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