Our best mathematical models for chaos predict that systems should settle down instantly, which is physically impossible.
March 31, 2026
Original Paper
Average Equilibration Time for Gaussian Unitary Ensemble Hamiltonians
arXiv · 2603.28587
The Takeaway
Physicists use 'Random Matrix Theory' to describe how chaotic systems reach equilibrium, but this paper finds the theory contains an error that makes the process happen at infinite speed. This highlights a fundamental missing 'speed limit' in our current understanding of how the universe transitions from chaos to stability.
From the abstract
Understanding equilibration times in closed quantum systems is essential for characterising their approach to equilibrium. Chaotic many-body systems are paradigmatic in this context: they are expected to thermalise according to the eigenstate thermalisation hypothesis and exhibit spectral properties well described by random matrix theory (RMT). While RMT successfully captures spectral correlations, its ability to provide quantitative predictions for equilibration timescales has remained largely