Geometric quenches in quantum integrable systems

We consider the generic problem of suddenly changing the geometry of an integrable, one-dimensional many-body quantum system. We show how the physics of an initial quantum state released into a bigger system can be completely described within the framework of the algebraic Bethe ansatz, by providing an exact decomposition of the initial state into the eigenstate basis of the system after such a geometric quench. Our results, applicable to a large class of models including the Lieb-Liniger gas and Heisenberg spin chains, thus offer a reliable framework for the calculation of time-dependent expectation values and correlations in this nonequilibrium situation.