Exploring the many-body localization transition in two dimensions

Non-equilibrium dynamics in a closed quantum system has become a central theme in modern statistical mechanics, where experimental studies are accessible via cold atoms, trapped ion, and NV-center spin system. Many-body localization (MBL) is one example of non-trivial quantum phases of matter in non-equilibrium, where initial state information can persist for infinitely long time, violating fundamental hypothesis of classical statistical physics. In this talk, I will introduce a recent experiments of the MBL phase in two dimensions using ultra cold atoms in optical lattice. We prepare a far out-of-equilibrium state and trace its dynamical evolution under disorder potential. We observe the system does not thermalize above a non-zero disorder and verify the interaction effect. Finally, I will present a effect of finite thermal bath on the MBL phase, which can shed light on the stability of the MBL system in higher dimensions.