Engineering non-ergodic properties in two dimensional quantum many-body systems

Abstract

Non-ergodic quantum many-body dynamics offers a route to persistent quantum coherence far from equilibrium, beyond the conventional expectations of thermalizing statistical mechanics. Most known examples have been identified through intuition, analogy, or numerical search, rather than by systematic Hamiltonian design. This leaves few general methods for engineering robust non-ergodic dynamics in disorder-free interacting quantum many-body systems, especially in higher dimensions where enhanced connectivity generally disfavors ergodicity breaking. Here, we use an eigenstate-to-Hamiltonian construction approach to systematically engineer two-dimensional quantum spin Hamiltonians with tunable non-ergodic properties. Starting from a common parent model and input eigenstate, we construct two target Hamiltonians on the square lattice that differ in their interaction geometry: axial versus diagonal. We show that the resulting interaction geometry and coupling pattern control the Hilbert-space structure and dynamics. The axial model forms a connected Hilbert-space network and exhibits an anisotropy-driven crossover from ergodic to non-ergodic behavior through the suppression of resonances. In contrast, the diagonal model exhibits Hilbert-space fragmentation and, within its largest irreducible sector, signatures of quantum many-body scar dynamics including towers of highly localized, low-entanglement eigenstates, and long-lived coherent revivals. These results establish a direct link between Hamiltonian design, Hilbert-space network structure, and emergent non-ergodic dynamics.