Dynamical Symmetries and Entanglement growth

Dynamical symmetries can prevent a many body quantum system from equilibrating. For closed systems they can thus lead to a violation of the eigenstate thermalization theorem and for open system non-ergodic dynamics can follow. This project is focussed on observable consequences of the non-equilibrium quantum dynamics ensuing in systems with dynamical symmetries. Specifically, as a first step, the DPhil student will consider the growth of entanglement in the presence of dynamical symmetries with the aim of finding unique features that allow to identify and characterize dynamical symmetries. This will provide insights into how non-trivial structured dynamical phases of matter can emerge in non-equilibrium dynamics induced e.g. by driving or dissipation. This research project falls squarely into the EPSRC grand challenge "Emergence and Physics Far From Equilibrium". It will provide insights into the role of dynamical symmetries as organising principles for the emergence of ordered non-equilibrium phases in complex systems.