Quantum Simulation of Spin Chains with Trapped Atomic Ions

We perform quantum simulations of spin chain Hamiltonians using 171-Yb+ in two trapped ion platforms: a four-blade linear trap and a next-generation monolithic chip trap with individual and simultaneous optical addressing. Natively, we realize Ising-like Hamiltonians with long-range spin-spin interactions that obey approximate power-law falloff (r^(-α)) with distance r across the chain, where α is controlled by the detuning of the optical dipole forces from the collective sidebands of motion [1]. Using quantum simulation tools such as Trotterization and Floquet engineering, we generate nonnative Hamiltonians for long-range XY and Heisenberg-like spin chain models [2]. Another tool, dynamical decoupling, enhances coherence by averaging out noise such as Stark shift via global pulse sequences [2]. Using four ions, we demonstrate our quantum simulation toolbox to generate the Haldane-Shastry model, a quantum integrable and exactly solvable Heisenberg-like chain in the inverse square law regime (α=2) [2].

[1] C. Monroe, W. C. Campbell, L. -M. Duan, Z. -X. Gong, A. V. Gorshkov, P. Hess, R. Islam, K. Kim, G. Pagano, P. Richerme, C. Senko, and N. Y. Yao, Rev. Mod. Phys. 93, 025001 (2021).

[2] W. Morong, K. S. Collins, A. De, E. Stavropoulos, T. You, and C. Monroe, Phys. Rev. X Quantum 4, 010334 (2023).