Localization with random time-periodic quantum circuits

Abstract

Driven quantum systems can exhibit very different physics, such as thermalization or localization, depending on the type and amount of disorder. Here, the authors study time-periodic unitary circuits (a discrete version of driven quantum systems) for both spin and fermionic systems. Using new analytical and numerical tools, they are able to identify conditions under which such systems exhibit localizing or thermalizing behavior, and characterize how the system transitions to an MBL phase as the disorder in the interactions is increased.