Disorder-induced superfluidity on an analog quantum simulator

The manifestation of states with long-range correlations in a disordered landscape is rare, as disorder typically suppresses the particle mobility required for long-range coherence. But when multiple energy levels are available per site, disorder can induce resonances that locally enhance mobility. Here we explore phases arising from the interplay between disorder, kinetic energy, and interactions on a superconducting processor with qutrit readout and control. Compressibility measurements distinguish the incompressible Mott insulator from surrounding compressible phases and reveal signatures of glassiness, reflected in non-ergodic behavior. Spatially-resolved two-point correlation measurements identify regions of the phase diagram with non-vanishing condensate fraction. We also visualize the spectrum via Bragg spectroscopy. A linearly-dispersing phonon mode materializes in the superfluid, appearing even when disorder is introduced to the clean Mott insulator. This constitutes the first experimental signature of superfluidity induced by disorder.