Professor Yizhi You
Northeastern University
Spontaneous Strong Symmetry Breaking in Open System
Location: 1080 Physics Research Building
Faculty Host: Brian Skinner
Abstract: In this talk, I will explore decoherence effects in mixed-state ensembles from a purification perspective. While it seems intuitive that decoherence and dissipation would trivialize the quantum state and diminish long-range mutual information, they can actually give rise to intriguing mixed quantum states far from equilibrium. I will start by discussing spontaneous strong-to-weak symmetry breaking (sw-SSB) in open quantum systems, triggered by local quantum channels. Finally, I will examine intrinsic dynamical quantum phases in mixed states engendered by decoherence, which have no analog in thermal equilibrium.
Bio: Yizhi You’s research focuses on a variety of problems in the field of quantum many-body theory. Her primary focus is the study of collective phenomena arising due to quantum mechanical effects in systems of correlated electrons. Areas of research include the study of fracton phases of matter, quantum field theory, and quantum dynamics. Yizhi received her Ph.D. from UIUC in 2017 and has since been a research associate at Princeton University. She joined Northeastern University as an assistant professor in 2022.
