Quantum Spin Ice in Three-Dimensional Rydberg Atom Arrays

Journal Article · 05 February 2025 · Physical Review. X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevX.15.011025 · OSTI ID:2511323

Shah, Jeet ; Nambiar, Gautam ; Gorshkov, Alexey V. ; Galitski, Victor

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 ${\mathbb{Z}}_2$ 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. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: SC0019040; SC0020312; SC0024220; SC0025341
• OSTI ID: 2511323
• Journal Information: Physical Review. X, Journal Name: Physical Review. X Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 15; ISSN PRXHAE; ISSN 2160-3308
• Publisher: American Physical SocietyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English