New Trends in Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics: Classical and Quantum Systems

New Trends in Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics: Classical and Quantum Systems (nesmcq18)

25-31 Jul 2018 Erice (Italy)

Scope

The nonlinear relaxation process in many condensed matter systems proceeds through metastable states, giving rise to long-lived states. Stochastic many-body systems, classical and quantum, often display a complex and slow relaxation towards a stationary state. A common phenomenon in the dynamics of out of equilibrium systems is the metastability, and the problem of the lifetime of metastable states involves fundamental aspects of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. In spite of such ubiquity, the microscopic understanding of metastability and related out of equilibrium dynamics still raise fundamental questions.

The aim of this meeting is to bring together scientists interested in the challenging problems connected with the dynamics of out of equilibrium classical and quantum physical systems from both theoretical and experimental point of view, within an interdisciplinary context.

Specifically, three main areas of out-of-equilibrium statistical mechanics will be covered: long range interactions and multistability, anomalous diffusion, and quantum systems.

Moreover, the conference will be a discussion forum to promote new ideas in this fertile field of research, and in particular new trends such as quantum thermodynamics and novel types of quantum phase transitions occurring in non-equilibrium steady states, and topological phase transitions.

General Info

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