Finite size scaling bounds on many-body localized phase transitions

Understand

Quantum phase transitions are usually observed in ground states of correlated systems.

• Remarkably, eigenstate phase transitions can also occur at finite energy density in disordered, isolated quantum systems.
• Such transitions fall outside the framework of statistical mechanics as they involve the breakdown of ergodicity.
• Here, we consider what general constraints can be imposed on the nature of eigenstate transitions due to the presence of disorder.