The generalized Gibbs ensemble as a pseudo-initial state: its predictive power revealed in a second quench

Abstract: The generalized Gibbs ensemble has been shown to be relevant in the relaxation of a completely integrable system subject to a quantum quench, in the sense that it accurately predicts the steady values of some physical variables. We proceed to further question its relevance by giving the quenched system a second quench. The concern is whether the generalized Gibbs ensemble can also accurately predict the relaxed system's response to the second quench. Two case studies with the transverse Ising model and the hard-core bosons in one dimension yield an affirmative answer. The relevance of the generalized Gibbs ensemble in the non-equilibrium dynamics of integrable systems is then greatly strengthened.