Dynamics and thermalization in finite one-dimensional systems

We utilize quantum quenches to study the dynamics and thermalization of hardcore bosons in finite one-dimensional lattices. By means of full exact diagonalization, we show that far away from integrability few-body observables thermalize. We then study the breakdown of thermalization as one approaches integrable points [1, 2]. Insights on the different regimes are gained by means of eigenstate expectation values of few-body observables [1, 2] and quantum chaos indicators [3]. We show that thermalization closely follows the validity of the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis and the onset of quantum chaos. Finite size effects and the consequences of crossing a superfluid to insulator transition are discussed in the context of the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis [4].