A closed system setting for quantum thermalisation in free fermions
The study investigates thermalization in a quantum system where a central chain is suddenly connected to two semi-infinite chains acting as thermal baths at different temperatures. Using free-fermion models (XX and transverse-field Ising), the authors show that relaxation is fully characterized analytically, confirming no Mpemba effect occurs despite non-equilibrium dynamics. This demonstrates robust thermalization without anomalous acceleration.