927 research outputs found
Optical Abelian Lattice Gauge Theories
We discuss a general framework for the realization of a family of abelian
lattice gauge theories, i.e., link models or gauge magnets, in optical
lattices. We analyze the properties of these models that make them suitable to
quantum simulations. Within this class, we study in detail the phases of a
U(1)-invariant lattice gauge theory in 2+1 dimensions originally proposed by
Orland. By using exact diagonalization, we extract the low-energy states for
small lattices, up to 4x4. We confirm that the model has two phases, with the
confined entangled one characterized by strings wrapping around the whole
lattice. We explain how to study larger lattices by using either tensor network
techniques or digital quantum simulations with Rydberg atoms loaded in optical
lattices where we discuss in detail a protocol for the preparation of the
ground state. We also comment on the relation between standard compact U(1) LGT
and the model considered.Comment: v2 27 pages, 11 figures, extended discussion of the experimental
set-up and of observables' measurement, similar to published versio
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