Observation of quantum superposition of topological defects in a trapped ion quantum simulator
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arXiv
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2024
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| _version_ | 1866912078788296704 |
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| author | Cheng, Zhijie Wu, Yukai Li, Shijiao Mei, Quanxin Li, Bowen Wang, Gangxi Jiang, Yue Qi, Binxiang Zhou, Zichao Hou, Panyu Duan, Luming |
| author_facet | Cheng, Zhijie Wu, Yukai Li, Shijiao Mei, Quanxin Li, Bowen Wang, Gangxi Jiang, Yue Qi, Binxiang Zhou, Zichao Hou, Panyu Duan, Luming |
| contents | Topological defects are discontinuities of a system protected by global properties, with wide applications in mathematics and physics. While previous experimental studies mostly focused on their classical properties, it has been predicted that topological defects can exhibit quantum superposition. Despite the fundamental interest and potential applications in understanding symmetry-breaking dynamics of quantum phase transitions, its experimental realization still remains a challenge. Here, we report the observation of quantum superposition of topological defects in a trapped-ion quantum simulator. By engineering long-range spin-spin interactions, we observe a spin kink splitting into a superposition of kinks at different positions, creating a ``Schrodinger kink'' that manifests non-locality and quantum interference. Furthermore, by preparing superposition states of neighboring kinks with different phases, we observe the propagation of the wave packet in different directions, thus unambiguously verifying the quantum coherence in the superposition states. Our work provides useful tools for non-equilibrium dynamics in quantum Kibble-Zurek physics. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2410_15389 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Observation of quantum superposition of topological defects in a trapped ion quantum simulator Cheng, Zhijie Wu, Yukai Li, Shijiao Mei, Quanxin Li, Bowen Wang, Gangxi Jiang, Yue Qi, Binxiang Zhou, Zichao Hou, Panyu Duan, Luming Quantum Physics Topological defects are discontinuities of a system protected by global properties, with wide applications in mathematics and physics. While previous experimental studies mostly focused on their classical properties, it has been predicted that topological defects can exhibit quantum superposition. Despite the fundamental interest and potential applications in understanding symmetry-breaking dynamics of quantum phase transitions, its experimental realization still remains a challenge. Here, we report the observation of quantum superposition of topological defects in a trapped-ion quantum simulator. By engineering long-range spin-spin interactions, we observe a spin kink splitting into a superposition of kinks at different positions, creating a ``Schrodinger kink'' that manifests non-locality and quantum interference. Furthermore, by preparing superposition states of neighboring kinks with different phases, we observe the propagation of the wave packet in different directions, thus unambiguously verifying the quantum coherence in the superposition states. Our work provides useful tools for non-equilibrium dynamics in quantum Kibble-Zurek physics. |
| title | Observation of quantum superposition of topological defects in a trapped ion quantum simulator |
| topic | Quantum Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2410.15389 |