Many-Body Physics with Driven Open Quantum Systems of Atoms, Light and Solids

Objective

Understanding the quantum many-particle problem is one of the grand challenges of modern physics. While
tremendous progresses have been made over the past decades in thermodynamic equilibrium, nonequilibrium
many-body quantum physics is still in its infancy. Strong motivation for addressing this
challenge comes from recent experimental developments in diverse areas, ranging from cold atomic gases
over light-driven semiconductors to microcavity arrays. This moves systems into the focus, which are
located on the interface of quantum optics, many-body physics and statistical mechanics. They share in
common that coherent and driven-dissipative quantum dynamics occur on an equal footing, creating
scenarios without immediate counterpart in traditional condensed matter systems. This project has the goal of
pushing forward the understanding of such driven open quantum systems.
To this end, we follow a combined approach structured around three key challenges. (i) We aim to identify
novel macroscopic phenomena, which manifestly witness microscopic non-equilibrium conditions. This
concerns non-thermal stationary states, where we will shape an understanding of non-equilibrium phase
diagrams and the associated phase transitions, in particular constructing a notion of driven quantum
criticality. But it also encompasses the identification of new universal regimes in open system time
evolution. Finally, we will extend the concept of topological order to a broader non-equilibrium context,
motivated by quantum information applications. (ii) We will create new theoretical tools, in particular
advancing a flexible Keldysh dynamical quantum field theory for driven open quantum systems. (iii) We will
address a broad spectrum of cutting edge experimental platforms in view of exploring our theoretical
scenarios, and to foster mutual cross-fertilization. With an emphasis on cold atomic gases, this program also
comprises exciton-polariton condensates and coupled circuit QED architectures.

Fields of science

Host institution

UNIVERSITAT ZU KOLN

Net EU contribution

€ 1 676 423,75

Address

Albertus Magnus Platz
50931 Koln
Germany

Region

Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Stuttgart, Stadtkreis

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

Links

Contact the organisation Website

Participation in EU R&I programmes

HORIZON collaboration network

Other funding

€ 0,00

Beneficiaries (1)