Nonergodic dynamics in disorder-free potentials

We review the dynamics of interacting particles in disorder-free potentials concentrating on a combination of a harmonic binding with a constant tilt. We show that a simple picture of an effective local tilt describes a variety of cases. Our examples include spinless fermions (as modeled by Heisenberg spin chain in a magnetic field), spinful fermions as well as bosons that enjoy a larger local on-site Hilbert space. We also discuss the domain-wall dynamics that reveals nonergodic features even for a relatively weak tilt as suggested by Doggen et al. (2020). By adding a harmonic potential on top of the static field we confirm that the surprising regular dynamics is not entirely due to Hilbert space shuttering. It seems better explained by the inhibited transport within the domains of identically oriented spins. Once the spin-1/2 restrictions are lifted as, e.g., for bosons, the dynamics involve stronger entanglement generation. Again for domain wall melting, the effect of the harmonic potential is shown to lead mainly to an effective local tilt. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The article discusses the dynamics of interacting particles in disorder-free potentials, focusing on a combination of harmonic binding with a constant tilt, and proposes a simple picture of an effective local tilt theory. Various cases are demonstrated through examples, including spinless fermions, spinful fermions, and bosons with a larger local on-site Hilbert space. The article also explores domain-wall dynamics, revealing nonergodic features even in the presence of a relatively weak tilt.