Torsten Zache: Observation of string breaking on a (2+1)D Rydberg quantum simulator
0Fundamental forces of nature are described by gauge theories, and the interactions of matter with gauge fields lead to intriguing phenomena like the confinement of quarks in quantum chromodynamics. Separating a confined quark-anti-quark pair incurs an energy cost that grows linearly with their separation, eventually leading to the production of additional particles by an effect that is called string-breaking. In this talk, I will discuss how similar phenomenology can be probed using Rydberg atom arrays. In particular, I will explain how the Rydberg blockade constraint on a suitable lattice geometry allows us to interpret the native Rydberg Hamiltonian as a confining U(1) lattice gauge theory. In collaboration with QuEra, we have realised this proposal using their device “Aquila”, operating as an analog quantum simulator. I will present our results concerning the physics of confinement and string-breaking in this setup, including equilibrium state preparation as well as non-equilibrium quench dynamics.