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Quantum Kibble–Zurek mechanism and critical dynamics on a programmable Rydberg simulator

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander Keesling

    (Harvard University)

  • Ahmed Omran

    (Harvard University)

  • Harry Levine

    (Harvard University)

  • Hannes Bernien

    (Harvard University)

  • Hannes Pichler

    (Harvard University
    ITAMP, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics)

  • Soonwon Choi

    (Harvard University)

  • Rhine Samajdar

    (Harvard University)

  • Sylvain Schwartz

    (Laboratoire Kastler Brossel, ENS, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Collège de France)

  • Pietro Silvi

    (Austrian Academy of Sciences
    University of Innsbruck)

  • Subir Sachdev

    (Harvard University)

  • Peter Zoller

    (Austrian Academy of Sciences
    University of Innsbruck)

  • Manuel Endres

    (California Institute of Technology)

  • Markus Greiner

    (Harvard University)

  • Vladan Vuletić

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Mikhail D. Lukin

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

Quantum phase transitions (QPTs) involve transformations between different states of matter that are driven by quantum fluctuations1. These fluctuations play a dominant part in the quantum critical region surrounding the transition point, where the dynamics is governed by the universal properties associated with the QPT. Although time-dependent phenomena associated with classical, thermally driven phase transitions have been extensively studied in systems ranging from the early Universe to Bose–Einstein condensates2–5, understanding critical real-time dynamics in isolated, non-equilibrium quantum systems remains a challenge6. Here we use a Rydberg atom quantum simulator with programmable interactions to study the quantum critical dynamics associated with several distinct QPTs. By studying the growth of spatial correlations when crossing the QPT, we experimentally verify the quantum Kibble–Zurek mechanism (QKZM)7–9 for an Ising-type QPT, explore scaling universality and observe corrections beyond QKZM predictions. This approach is subsequently used to measure the critical exponents associated with chiral clock models10,11, providing new insights into exotic systems that were not previously understood and opening the door to precision studies of critical phenomena, simulations of lattice gauge theories12,13 and applications to quantum optimization14,15.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Keesling & Ahmed Omran & Harry Levine & Hannes Bernien & Hannes Pichler & Soonwon Choi & Rhine Samajdar & Sylvain Schwartz & Pietro Silvi & Subir Sachdev & Peter Zoller & Manuel Endres & Mar, 2019. "Quantum Kibble–Zurek mechanism and critical dynamics on a programmable Rydberg simulator," Nature, Nature, vol. 568(7751), pages 207-211, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:568:y:2019:i:7751:d:10.1038_s41586-019-1070-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1070-1
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Katrina Barnes & Peter Battaglino & Benjamin J. Bloom & Kayleigh Cassella & Robin Coxe & Nicole Crisosto & Jonathan P. King & Stanimir S. Kondov & Krish Kotru & Stuart C. Larsen & Joseph Lauigan & Bri, 2022. "Assembly and coherent control of a register of nuclear spin qubits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Giacomo Bighin & Tilman Enss & Nicolò Defenu, 2024. "Universal scaling in real dimension," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Matthew J. O’Rourke & Garnet Kin-Lic Chan, 2023. "Entanglement in the quantum phases of an unfrustrated Rydberg atom array," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.

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