Statistical Localization in a Rydberg Simulator of $U(1)$ Lattice Gauge Theory

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Datla, Prithvi Raj, Zhao, Luheng, Ho, Wen Wei, Klco, Natalie, Loh, Huanqian
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Datla, Prithvi Raj
Zhao, Luheng
Ho, Wen Wei
Klco, Natalie
Loh, Huanqian
author_facet Datla, Prithvi Raj
Zhao, Luheng
Ho, Wen Wei
Klco, Natalie
Loh, Huanqian
contents Lattice gauge theories (LGTs) provide a framework for describing dynamical systems ranging from nuclei to materials. LGTs that host concatenated conservation laws can exhibit Hilbert space fragmentation, where each subspace may be labeled by a conserved quantity with nonlocal operator support. It is expected that nonlocal conservation laws will not impede thermalization locally. However, this expectation has recently been challenged by the notion of statistical localization, wherein particular motifs of microscopic configurations may remain frozen in time due to strong Hilbert space fragmentation. Here, we report the first experimental signatures of statistically-localized behavior. We realize a novel constrained LGT model using a facilitated Rydberg atom array, where atoms mediate the dynamics of electric charge clusters whose nonlocal pattern of net charges remains invariant. By experimentally reconstructing observables sampled from a temporal ensemble, we probe the spatial distribution of each conserved quantity. We find that as a result of strong Hilbert space fragmentation, the expectation values of all conserved quantities remain locally distributed in typical quantum states, even though they are described by nonlocal string-like operators. Our work opens the door to high-energy explorations of cluster dynamics and low-energy studies of strong zero modes that persist in infinite-temperature topological systems.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_18143
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Statistical Localization in a Rydberg Simulator of $U(1)$ Lattice Gauge Theory
Datla, Prithvi Raj
Zhao, Luheng
Ho, Wen Wei
Klco, Natalie
Loh, Huanqian
Quantum Physics
Quantum Gases
Statistical Mechanics
High Energy Physics - Lattice
Atomic Physics
Lattice gauge theories (LGTs) provide a framework for describing dynamical systems ranging from nuclei to materials. LGTs that host concatenated conservation laws can exhibit Hilbert space fragmentation, where each subspace may be labeled by a conserved quantity with nonlocal operator support. It is expected that nonlocal conservation laws will not impede thermalization locally. However, this expectation has recently been challenged by the notion of statistical localization, wherein particular motifs of microscopic configurations may remain frozen in time due to strong Hilbert space fragmentation. Here, we report the first experimental signatures of statistically-localized behavior. We realize a novel constrained LGT model using a facilitated Rydberg atom array, where atoms mediate the dynamics of electric charge clusters whose nonlocal pattern of net charges remains invariant. By experimentally reconstructing observables sampled from a temporal ensemble, we probe the spatial distribution of each conserved quantity. We find that as a result of strong Hilbert space fragmentation, the expectation values of all conserved quantities remain locally distributed in typical quantum states, even though they are described by nonlocal string-like operators. Our work opens the door to high-energy explorations of cluster dynamics and low-energy studies of strong zero modes that persist in infinite-temperature topological systems.
title Statistical Localization in a Rydberg Simulator of $U(1)$ Lattice Gauge Theory
topic Quantum Physics
Quantum Gases
Statistical Mechanics
High Energy Physics - Lattice
Atomic Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.18143