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When you use disk encryption for security reasons it seems to me you need to turn off your computer after your done.

Logging the user out would achieve the same no?

No. Unlocking of the disk happens at boot time. Logging out will keep your disk unlocked.

Hybernate will also lock your disk.

Edit: it might depend on your hardware. The latest Macs are more secure while sleeping / logged out.

I've always assumed that (a derivative of) the user's password decrypts their section of the filesystem.