Long-Range Correlations in the Nonequilibrium Quantum Relaxation of a Spin Chain

Abstract
We consider the nonstationary quantum relaxation of the Ising spin chain in a transverse field of strength h. Starting from a homogeneously magnetized initial state the system approaches a stationary state by a process possessing quasi-long-range correlations in time and space, independent of the value of h. In particular, the system exhibits aging (or lack of time-translational invariance on intermediate time scales) although no indications of coarsening are present.