On the generic increase of entropy in isolated systems

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2505.23041v2
• Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2025 08:34:06 GMT
• Title: On the generic increase of entropy in isolated systems
• Authors: Zhiqiang Huang, Qing-yu Cai,
• Abstract summary: This study establishes a universal mechanism for entropy production in isolated quantum systems governed by interactions.<n>We show that steady-state entropy generically arises from many-body interactions, independent of specific coupling details.<n>Our findings resolve longstanding debates about interaction-dependent entropy scaling and offer pathways for entropy control in quantum technologies.
• Score: 1.4824891788575416
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: This study establishes a universal mechanism for entropy production in isolated quantum systems governed by interactions that induce random-phase fluctuations. By developing a resolvent-based framework, we demonstrate that steady-state entropy generically arises from many-body interactions, independent of specific coupling details, provided the coherent accumulation of systematic biases does not overwhelm the random-phase fluctuations. Analytical arguments reveal that entropy generation is driven by two universal pathways: interaction-induced energy broadening and temporal coarse-graining over exponentially small energy gaps. To fully characterize the probability distribution, we introduce both Lorentzian and Gaussian ansatz, analyzing the bulk and tail behaviors respectively, and derive corresponding self-consistent equations for the distribution parameters. Numerical simulations of nonintegrable Ising spin chains confirm the predicted logarithmic entropy scaling and validate the self-consistent equations for energy shift and broadening parameters. By combining Lorentzian and Gaussian profiles into an enhanced ansatz, we further refine the description of the distribution, unifying observational entropy concepts with von Neumann entropy dynamics and providing predictive tools for thermodynamic behavior in quantum many-body systems. Our findings resolve longstanding debates about interaction-dependent entropy scaling and offer pathways for entropy control in quantum technologies.

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