Stark many-body localization: Evidence for Hilbert-space shattering

We study the dynamics of an interacting quantum spin chain under the application of a linearly increasing field. This model exhibits a type of localization known as Stark many-body localization. The dynamics shows a strong dependence on the initial conditions, indicating that the system violates the conventional (strong) eigenstate thermalization hypothesis at any finite gradient of the field. This is contrary to reports of a numerically observed ergodic phase. Therefore, the localization is crucially distinct from disorder-driven many-body localization, in agreement with recent predictions on the basis of localization via Hilbert-space shattering.

Automated summary

The study reveals that an interacting quantum spin chain under a linearly increasing field exhibits a unique type of localization known as Stark many-body localization, showing strong dependence on initial conditions. Contrary to the conventional eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, the system violates it at any finite gradient of the field, indicating a crucial distinction from disorder-driven many-body localization. This finding is in agreement with recent predictions based on localization via Hilbert-space shattering.