The Quantum Thermodynamics Computational Engine – Kaitlyn Morrell

Though studied for decades, the quantum many-body problem remains at the forefront of theoretical research, where the goal of understanding systems of numerous quantum particles is common to astro-, atomic, nuclear, and condensed matter physics. Recently, experimental advances in ultracold atomic physics have paved the way for probing quantum systems in new regimes. Accordingly, efforts to tackle the many-body problem from the theoretical side have grown, resulting in a variety of methods, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Such methods generally fall into two categories: analytic and numerical. In this talk, I present the Quantum Thermodynamics Computational Engine, which bridges the two categories by implementing an automated algebra approach, based on a quantum cumulant expansion, followed by semi-analytic integration. With this tool, we study a non-relativistic, spin-1/2 fermionic system with a contact interaction, in a regime relevant for ultracold atoms and dilute neutron matter. Results for the finite-temperature thermodynamics in the strongly interacting regime are presented and the future outlook of the method is discussed.