A. Keesling, A. Omran, H. Levine, H. Bernien, H. Pichler, S. Choi, R. Samajdar, S. Schwartz, P. Silvi, S. Sachdev, P. Zoller, M. Endres, M. Greiner, V. Vuletic, M. Lukin Quantum Kibble–Zurek mechanism and critical dynamics on a programmable Rydberg simulator,
Nature 568 211 (2019-04-01),
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1070-1 doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1070-1 (ID: 720062)
Toggle Abstract
Quantum phase transitions (QPTs) involve transformations between different states of matter that are driven by quantum fluctuations. These fluctuations play a dominant role in the quantum critical region surrounding the transition point, where the dynamics are governed by the universal properties associated with the QPT. The resulting quantum criticality has been explored by probing linear response for systems near thermal equilibrium. While time dependent phenomena associated with classical phase transitions have been studied in various scientific fields, understanding critical real-time dynamics in isolated, non-equilibrium quantum systems is of fundamental importance both for exploring novel approaches to quantum information processing and realizing exotic new phases of matter. 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 while crossing the QPT at variable speeds, we experimentally verify the quantum Kibble-Zurek mechanism (QKZM) for an Ising-type QPT, explore scaling universality, and observe corrections beyond simple QKZM predictions. This approach is subsequently used to investigate novel QPTs associated with chiral clock model providing new insights into exotic systems, and opening the door for precision studies of critical phenomena and applications to quantum optimization.