Physicists prove a long-suspected quantum speed limit for thermalization
Whether we are waiting for a car windshield to defrost in winter or a warm drink to cool down, how long it takes for an object to settle into a stable, even temperature within its environment (thermal equilibrium) depends on numerous factors. These can include surface area, the material properties of an object and airflow.
A new study published in Nature Physics has confirmed a longstanding quantum theory suggesting a universal speed limit on how quickly quantum systems can reach thermal equilibrium. This universal speed limit, determined by temperature and two fundamental constants of nature, Heisenberg's limit and Boltzmann's constant, applies irrespective of the complexity of the environment.
The research, conducted by Paolo Abiuso and his team at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, provides a mathematical framework treating thermalization as a process bringing various quantum systems into thermal states. The findings have implications for the development of quantum technologies, including quantum computers.
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