Description
Title: Locality and spectral gaps in quantum spin systems
Abstract: In this lecture, I will give a brief introduction to the mathematical framework used to describe quantum spin systems on lattices. The main goal will be to connect the study of models defined over finite volumes to an idealized infinite volume limit called the thermodynamic limit. A key role will be played by locality estimates known as Lieb-Robinson bounds. I will then focus on the spectral gap of the model, the difference between the two lowest energy levels, and I will explain how it is related to the problem of phase classification of quantum phases of matter.
