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In the realm of quantum physics, the behaviour of individual particles is a well-explored territory. However, the true complexity and richness of the quantum world manifest when a multitude of particles interact and form a collective system, giving rise to a variety of novel emergent phenomena, thereby firmly establishing the notion that Many is Different. I will focus on the "Quantum Thermalization Problem" in this talk. Quantum dynamics are governed by unitary transformations, implying that all observed behaviour within isolated quantum systems should, in principle, exhibit reversibility. However, recent experiments conducted over the past few decades have uncovered striking results. Many-body isolated quantum systems lacking integrability, when initially prepared far from equilibrium, tend to irreversibly evolve towards a state of thermal equilibrium. This intriguing phenomenon is one of the most profound and unsolved mysteries in 21st-century physics.
I will attempt to build a physical understanding of this enigmatic phenomenon and delve into the crucial role played by non-integrability in the process of thermalization. I will also share insights from my investigations into how symmetries and conserved quantities can prevent a system from thermalizing and what unfolds when we intentionally break some of these symmetries.
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