The world of quantum physics has always been known for its intricate and perplexing nature. However, recent research conducted by Professor Monika Aidelsburger and Professor Immanuel Bloch from the LMU Faculty of Physics suggests that even quantum many-body systems can be described using simple diffusion equations with random noise. This groundbreaking study challenges the traditional belief that quantum systems are too complex to be understood through macroscopic means.
Hydrodynamics, a method commonly used to describe the flow behavior of water, focuses on formulating flow equations on a macroscopic basis rather than delving into the physics of individual molecules. Julian Wienand, a doctoral candidate in Immanuel Bloch’s research team and lead author of the study, explains that this approach simplifies the analysis of complex systems by focusing on the overall behavior rather than microscopic interactions. By incorporating fluctuating hydrodynamics (FHD) theory, which accounts for random movements like Brownian motion, researchers were able to demonstrate that a system’s behavior can be determined by a single quantity known as the diffusion constant.
While the FHD theory has shown promising results in describing chaotic classical systems, its applicability to chaotic quantum systems remains a topic of debate. Quantum particles interact in ways that are fundamentally different from classical particles, with phenomena like “uncertainty” and “entanglement” complicating the dynamics. Despite these challenges, the research team decided to investigate whether FHD could simplify the understanding of chaotic many-body quantum systems.
To explore the behavior of chaotic quantum systems, the research team utilized ultracold cesium atoms in optical lattices as a model system. By preparing the system in a non-equilibrium state and observing its evolution, the team was able to measure fluctuations and density correlations in real-time. The results were promising, indicating that FHD theory could qualitatively and quantitatively describe the behavior of chaotic quantum systems, shedding light on a potential new approach to understanding quantum complexity.
The findings of this study open up exciting possibilities for simplifying the description of quantum systems through macroscopic means. By focusing on overall behaviors and utilizing diffusion equations with random noise, researchers may be able to tackle the challenges posed by chaotic quantum systems more effectively. Future studies could build upon these results to further explore the applicability of FHD theory in other quantum systems and potential technological advancements that may arise from this new perspective.