Quantum dynamics of correlated quantum systems

The study of the dynamics of quantum systems driven out of equilibrium, by a sudden change in conditions or by periodic forcing, has been area of intense research interest. Many of the techniques and paradigms of quantum systems in equilibrium have to be re-revisited and new tools have to be found to study these systems. The spread of quantum entanglement, the fate of conserved quantities, are challenging questions in this context. The implications for quantum information processing can be profound.

The project will study the quantum dynamics of systems with robust topological structure to investigate whether symmetries and topological properties can be preserved or whether they will be destroyed.

The first stage of the project will investigate the dynamics of Chern insulators in two dimensions where the topological quantity is the quantized Hall conductance. Signatures of topological properties locally and in disordered systems are open questions. This will be followed investigation of systems in different dimensions with other topological invariants.