Quantum Spin Ice in Three-Dimensional Rydberg Atom Arrays
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Quantum spin liquids are exotic phases of matter whose low-energy physics is described as the deconfined phase of an emergent gauge theory. With recent theory proposals and an experiment showing preliminary signs of Z 2 topological order [G. Semeghini , ], Rydberg atom arrays have emerged as a promising platform to realize a quantum spin liquid. In this work, we propose a way to realize a U(1) quantum spin liquid in three spatial dimensions, described by the deconfined phase of U(1) gauge theory in a pyrochlore lattice Rydberg atom array. We study the ground state phase diagram of the proposed Rydberg system as a function of experimentally relevant parameters. Within our calculation, we find that by tuning the Rabi frequency, one can access both the confinement-deconfinement transition driven by a proliferation of “magnetic” monopoles and the Higgs transition driven by a proliferation of “electric” charges of the emergent gauge theory. We suggest experimental probes for distinguishing the deconfined phase from ordered phases. This work serves as a proposal to access a confinement-deconfinement transition in three spatial dimensions on a Rydberg-based quantum simulator.
Source: Physical Review X
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,200
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Simons Foundation, ASCRS Research Foundation, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Office of Science, Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, Division of Materials Research, Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Army Research Office
Awards: G1143213205, G1394276061, G1543527024, G1938338418, G1965873410, G2127201742, G2380821258, QLCI-CI: NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Robust Quantum Simulation, G3138666703, FUNDAMENTAL ALGORITHMIC RESEARCH FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING, FUNDAMENTAL ALGORITHMIC RESEARCH FOR QUANTUM COMPUTING, G4010038600, G4450555931, EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE MAPPING OF QUANTUM COMPUTATIONS ONTO REALISTIC ARCHITECTURES, Strongly-Correlated Hybrid Light-Matter Systems, G6863934337, G7326196729, G7436220671, G757155865, EFFICIENT AND RELIABLE MAPPING OF QUANTUM COMPUTATIONS ONTO REALISTIC ARCHITECTURES, G8532239345, G8729776176
OpenAlex ID: W4407193252