Towards $2+1$D quantum electrodynamics on a cold-atom quantum simulator

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2602.04948v1
• Date: Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:00:00 GMT
• Title: Towards $2+1$D quantum electrodynamics on a cold-atom quantum simulator
• Authors: Peter Majcen, Jesse J. Osborne, Philipp Hauke, Bing Yang, Simone Montangero, Jad C. Halimeh,
• Abstract summary: We propose a feasible cold-atom quantum simulator of a lattice gauge theory in a spin $S=1$ truncation.<n>We derive a mapping of this theory onto a bosonic computational basis, stabilized by an emergent gauge-protection mechanism.<n>Our work significantly advances the experimental prospects for simulating higher-dimensional lattice gauge theories.
• Score: 2.074088857446944
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Cold atoms have become a powerful platform for quantum-simulating lattice gauge theories in higher spatial dimensions. However, such realizations have been restricted to the lowest possible truncations of the gauge field, which limit the connections one can make to lattice quantum electrodynamics. Here, we propose a feasible cold-atom quantum simulator of a $(2+1)$-dimensional U$(1)$ lattice gauge theory in a spin $S=1$ truncation, featuring dynamical matter and gauge fields. We derive a mapping of this theory onto a bosonic computational basis, stabilized by an emergent gauge-protection mechanism through quantum Zeno dynamics. The implementation is based on a single-species Bose--Hubbard model realized in a tilted optical superlattice. This approach requires only moderate experimental resources already available in current ultracold-atom platforms. Using infinite matrix product state simulations, we benchmark real-time dynamics under global quenches. The results demonstrate faithful evolution of the target gauge theory and robust preservation of the gauge constraints. Our work significantly advances the experimental prospects for simulating higher-dimensional lattice gauge theories using larger gauge-field truncations.

Related papers

• Onset of thermalization of q-deformed SU(2) Yang-Mills theory on a trapped-ion quantum computer [1.2744523252873352]
  We develop a quantum simulation of thermalization dynamics in a (2+1)-dimensional $q$-deformed $mathrmSU(2)_3$ Yang-Mills theory.<n>We successfully simulate the real-time dynamics of this model using quantum circuits that explicitly implement $F$-moves.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-01-20T02:25:53Z)
• Scalable cold-atom quantum simulator of a $3+1$D U$(1)$ lattice gauge theory with dynamical matter [2.197737368174698]
  We propose a scalable cold-atom quantum simulator of a U$(1)$ quantum link model of quantum electrodynamics in three spatial dimensions.<n>We benchmark the performance of this quantum simulator through near- and far-from-equilibrium observables, showing excellent agreement with the ideal gauge theory.<n>Our findings pave the way towards realistic quantum simulators of $3+1$D lattice gauge theories that can probe well beyond classical simulability.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-01-07T19:32:05Z)
• Real-Time Dynamics in a (2+1)-D Gauge Theory: The Stringy Nature on a Superconducting Quantum Simulator [32.73124984242397]
  We probe string modes of motion with dynamical matter in a digital quantum simulation of a (2+1) dimensional gauge theory.<n>We employ extensive tensor network simulations using the basis update and Galerkin method to predict large-scale real-time dynamics.<n>This work establishes a milestone for probing non-perturbative gauge dynamics via superconducting quantum simulation.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-07-10T18:01:27Z)
• Analog Quantum Simulator of a Quantum Field Theory with Fermion-Spin Systems in Silicon [34.80375275076655]
  Mapping fermions to qubits is challenging in $2+1$ and higher spacetime dimensions. We propose a native fermion-(large-)spin analog quantum simulator by utilizing dopant arrays in silicon.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-07-03T18:00:52Z)
• A Floquet-Rydberg quantum simulator for confinement in $\mathbb{Z}_2$ gauge theories [44.99833362998488]
  Recent advances in the field of quantum technologies have opened up the road for the realization of small-scale quantum simulators. We present a scalable Floquet scheme for the quantum simulation of the real-time dynamics in a $mathbbZ$ LGT. We show that an observation of gauge-invariant confinement dynamics in the Floquet-Rydberg setup is at reach of current experimental techniques.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-11-28T13:01:24Z)
• Spin-$S$ $\mathrm{U}(1)$ Quantum Link Models with Dynamical Matter on a Quantum Simulator [3.1192594881563127]
  We present a bosonic mapping for the representation of gauge and electric fields with effective spin-$S$ operators. We then propose an experimental scheme for the realization of a large-scale spin-$1$ $mathrmU(1)$ QLM using spinless bosons in an optical superlattice.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-05-10T18:00:01Z)
• Ergodicity Breaking Under Confinement in Cold-Atom Quantum Simulators [1.3367376307273382]
  We consider the spin-$1/2$ quantum link formulation of $1+1$D quantum electrodynamics with a topological $theta$-angle. We show an interplay between confinement and the ergodicity-breaking paradigms of quantum many-body scarring and Hilbert-space fragmentation.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-01-18T19:00:01Z)
• Large-Scale $2+1$D $\mathrm{U}(1)$ Gauge Theory with Dynamical Matter in a Cold-Atom Quantum Simulator [3.1192594881563127]
  A major driver of quantum-simulator technology is the prospect of probing high-energy phenomena in synthetic quantum matter setups at a high level of control and tunability. Here, we propose an experimentally feasible realization of a large-scale $2+1$D $mathrmU(1)$ gauge theory with dynamical matter and gauge fields in a cold-atom quantum simulator with spinless bosons.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-11-02T18:00:00Z)
• Studying chirality imbalance with quantum algorithms [62.997667081978825]
  We employ the (1+1) dimensional Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model to study the chiral phase structure and chirality charge density of strongly interacting matter. By performing the Quantum imaginary time evolution (QITE) algorithm, we simulate the (1+1) dimensional NJL model on the lattice at various temperature $T$ and chemical potentials $mu$, $mu_5$.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-10-06T17:12:33Z)
• Photon-mediated Stroboscopic Quantum Simulation of a $\mathbb{Z}_{2}$ Lattice Gauge Theory [58.720142291102135]
  Quantum simulation of lattice gauge theories (LGTs) aims at tackling non-perturbative particle and condensed matter physics. One of the current challenges is to go beyond 1+1 dimensions, where four-body (plaquette) interactions, not contained naturally in quantum simulating devices, appear. We show how to prepare the ground state and measure Wilson loops using state-of-the-art techniques in atomic physics.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-07-27T18:10:08Z)
• Quantum anomalous Hall phase in synthetic bilayers via twistless twistronics [58.720142291102135]
  We propose quantum simulators of "twistronic-like" physics based on ultracold atoms and syntheticdimensions. We show that our system exhibits topologicalband structures under appropriate conditions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-08-06T19:58:05Z)
• Quantum Simulation of 2D Quantum Chemistry in Optical Lattices [59.89454513692418]
  We propose an analog simulator for discrete 2D quantum chemistry models based on cold atoms in optical lattices. We first analyze how to simulate simple models, like the discrete versions of H and H$+$, using a single fermionic atom. We then show that a single bosonic atom can mediate an effective Coulomb repulsion between two fermions, leading to the analog of molecular Hydrogen in two dimensions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-02-21T16:00:36Z)
• Probing the Universality of Topological Defect Formation in a Quantum Annealer: Kibble-Zurek Mechanism and Beyond [46.39654665163597]
  We report on experimental tests of topological defect formation via the one-dimensional transverse-field Ising model. We find that the quantum simulator results can indeed be explained by the KZM for open-system quantum dynamics with phase-flip errors. This implies that the theoretical predictions of the generalized KZM theory, which assumes isolation from the environment, applies beyond its original scope to an open system.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-01-31T02:55:35Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.