Floquet Thermalization: Symmetries and Random Matrix Ensembles

Understand

We investigate the role of symmetries in determining the random matrix class describing quantum thermalization in a periodically driven many body quantum system.

• Using a combination of analytical arguments and numerical exact diagonalization, we establish that a periodically driven `Floquet' system can be in a different random matrix class to the instantaneous Hamiltonian.
• A periodically driven system can thermalize even when the instantaneous Hamiltonian is integrable.
• A Floquet system that thermalizes in general can display integrable behavior at commensurate driving frequencies.