Quantum simulations of time-reversal broken interacting systems in a trapped ion quantum computer

Interacting quantum many-body systems in which time-reversal symmetry is broken give rise to a variety of rich collective behaviors, and are therefore a major target of research in modern physics. Quantum simulators can potentially be used to explore and understand such systems, which are often beyond the computational reach of classical simulation. Quantum simulators which are embedded in universal quantum computers are especially advantageous since simulation results can be analyzed using tools such as quantum-classical variational optimization, measurement of topological string operators as well as tomography.

Using a method developed in our group [1], we experimentally realize quantum simulations of interacting, time-reversal broken and 2d quantum systems in a universal trapped-ion quantum processor [2]. Specifically, we realize a quantum ring threaded by magnetic flux. We adiabatically prepare and measure the ring’s ground state. We also quench the ring and measure flux dependent chiral currents. Next we realize a triangular spin ladder threaded by a staggered magnetic flux. We show that this 2d model exhibits non-trivial interactions between its excitations.

 

References:

[1] Manovitz et al. PRXQ 1, 020303 (2020). 

[2] Manovitz et al. arXiv:2111.04155 (2021).