Engineering generalized Gibbs ensembles with trapped ions

The concept of generalized Gibbs ensembles (GGEs) has been introduced to describe steady states of integrable models. Recent advances show that GGEs can also be stabilized in nearly integrable quantum systems when driven by external fields and open. Here, we present a weakly dissipative dynamics that drives towards a steady-state GGE and is realistic to implement in systems of trapped ions. We outline the engineering of the desired dissipation by a combination of couplings which can be realized with ion-trap setups and discuss the experimental observables needed to detect a deviation from a thermal state. We present a mixed-species motional mode engineering technique in an array of microtraps and demonstrate the possibility to use sympathetic cooling to constructmany-body dissipators. Our paper provides a blueprint for experimental observation of GGEs in open systems and opens an avenue for quantum simulation of driven-dissipative quantum many-body problems.

Automated summary

The concept of generalized Gibbs ensembles (GGEs) describes steady states of integrable models and can also be stabilized in nearly integrable quantum systems. A weakly dissipative dynamics driving towards a steady-state GGE has been proposed and is implementable in systems of trapped ions. By engineering the desired dissipation through couplings, detection of GGEs in open systems and quantum simulation of driven-dissipative many-body problems become feasible.