arXiv subjects

N. S. Srivatsa

Publications and source records attributed to N. S. Srivatsa.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Observation of genuine $2+1$D string dynamics in a U$(1)$ lattice gauge theory with a tunable plaquette term on a trapped-ion quantum computer

Quantum simulations of high-energy physics in $2+1$D can probe dynamical phenomena nonexistent in one spatial dimension and access regimes that are challenging for existing classical simulation methods. For string dynamics -- relevant to hadronization -- a plaquette term is required to realize genuine $2+1$D behavior, as it endows the gauge field with dynamics and enables the propagation of photon-like excitations. Here, we realize a U$(1)$ quantum link model of quantum electrodynamics in two spatial dimensions with a tunable plaquette term on a \texttt{Quantinuum System Model H2} quantum computer. We implement, to our knowledge, the largest quantum simulation of string-breaking dynamics reported to date, on a $5 \times 4$ matter-site square lattice using $51$ qubits. The simulation uses a shallow circuit design with a two-qubit gate depth of $28$ per Trotter step and up to $1540$ entangling gates. Starting from far-from-equilibrium string configurations, we measure the probability for the string to propagate within the lattice plane and find signatures of genuine $2+1$D dynamics only when the plaquette term is present. In a resonant regime, we observe the annihilation of string segments accompanied by the production of electron--positron pairs that screen them. We further find that, only with a nonzero plaquette term, matter creation extends across the lattice plane rather than remaining confined to the initial string path. These results experimentally realize string breaking and demonstrate the emergence of dynamical gauge fields in two spatial dimensions, establishing a route to photon-like propagation in programmable quantum simulators of gauge theories.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Krylov Complexity Meets Confinement

In high-energy physics, confinement denotes the tendency of fundamental particles to remain bound together, preventing their observation as free, isolated entities. Interestingly, analogous confinement behavior emerges in certain condensed matter systems, for instance, in the Ising model with both transverse and longitudinal fields, where domain walls become confined into meson-like bound states as a result of a longitudinal field-induced linear potential. In this work, we employ the Ising model to demonstrate that Krylov state complexity--a measure quantifying the spread of quantum information under the repeated action of the Hamiltonian on a quantum state--serves as a sensitive and quantitative probe of confinement. We show that confinement manifests as a pronounced suppression of Krylov complexity growth following quenches within the ferromagnetic phase in the presence of a longitudinal field, reflecting slow correlation dynamics. In contrast, while quenches within the paramagnetic phase exhibit enhanced complexity with increasing longitudinal field, reflecting the absence of confinement, those crossing the critical point to the ferromagnetic phase reveal a distinct regime characterized by orders-of-magnitude larger complexity and display trends of weak confinement. Notably, in the confining regime, the complexity oscillates at frequencies corresponding to the meson masses, with its power-spectrum peaks closely matching the semiclassical predictions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2026

String Breaking and Glueball Dynamics in $2+1$D Quantum Link Electrodynamics

At the heart of quark confinement and hadronization, the physics of flux strings has recently become a focal point in the field of quantum simulation of high-energy physics (HEP). Despite considerable progress, a detailed understanding of the behavior of flux strings in quantum simulation-relevant lattice formulations of gauge theories has remained limited to the lowest truncations of the gauge field, which are severely limited in their ability to draw conclusions about the quantum field theory limit. Here, we employ tensor network simulations to investigate the behavior of flux strings in a quantum link formulation of $2+1$D quantum electrodynamics (QED) with a spin-$1$ representation of the gauge field. We first map out the ground-state phase diagram of this model in the presence of two spatially separated static charges, revealing distinct microscopic processes responsible for string breaking, including a two-stage breaking mechanism not possible in the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ formulation. Starting in different initial product state string configurations, we then explore far-from-equilibrium quench dynamics across various parameter regimes, demonstrating genuine $2+1$D real-time string breaking and glueball-like bound state formation, with the latter not possible in the spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ formulation. In and out of equilibrium, we consider different values and placements of the static charges. Finally, we provide efficient qudit circuits for a quantum simulation experiment in which our results can be observed in state-of-the-art ion-trap setups. Our findings lay the groundwork for quantum simulations of flux strings towards the quantum field theory limit.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2025

Role of Plaquette Term in Genuine $2+1$D String Dynamics on Quantum Simulators

With the advent of quantum simulators of $2+1$D lattice gauge theories (LGTs), a fundamental open question is under what circumstances the observed physics is genuinely $2+1$D rather than effectively $1+1$D. Here, we address this question in the ongoing strong effort to quantum-simulate string dynamics in $2+1$D LGTs on state-of-the-art quantum hardware. Through tensor network simulations and analytic derivations, we show that the plaquette term, which represents a magnetic field and only emerges in $d>1$ spatial dimensions, plays a crucial role in \textit{genuine} $2+1$D string dynamics deep in the confined regime. In its absence and for minimal-length (Manhattan-distance) strings, we demonstrate how string breaking, although on a lattice in $d=2$ spatial dimensions, can be effectively mapped to a $1+1$D dynamical process independently of lattice geometry. Our findings not only answer the question of what qualifies as genuine $2+1$D string dynamics, but also serve as a clear guide for future quantum simulation experiments of $2+1$D LGTs.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Bosonic vs. Fermionic Matter in Quantum Simulations of $2+1$D Gauge Theories

Quantum link models extend lattice gauge theories beyond the traditional Wilson formulation and present promising candidates for both digital and analog quantum simulations. Fermionic matter coupled to $U(1)$ quantum link gauge fields has been extensively studied, revealing a phase diagram that includes transitions from the columnar phase in the quantum dimer model to the resonating valence bond phase in the quantum link model, potentially passing through a disordered liquid-like phase. In this study, we investigate the model coupled to hardcore bosons and identify a similar phase structure, though with a more intricate mixture of phases around the transition. Our analysis reveals that near the transition region, a narrow and distinct ordered phase emerges, characterized by gauge fields forming plaquette configurations with alternating orientations, which is then followed by a thinner, liquid-like regime. This complexity primarily stems from the differences in particle statistics, which manifest prominently when the matter degrees of freedom become dynamic. Notably, our findings suggest that bosons can effectively replace fermions in lattice gauge theory simulations, offering solutions to the challenges posed by fermions in both digital and analog quantum simulations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2024

Probing hydrodynamic crossovers with dissipation-assisted operator evolution

Using artificial dissipation to tame entanglement growth, we chart the emergence of diffusion in a generic interacting lattice model for varying U(1) charge densities. We follow the crossover from ballistic to diffusive transport above a scale set by the scattering length, finding the intuitive result that the diffusion constant scales as $D \propto 1/ρ$ at low densities $ρ$. Our numerical approach generalizes the Dissipation-Assisted Operator Evolution (DAOE) algorithm: in the spirit of the BBGKY hierarchy, we effectively approximate non-local operators by their ensemble averages, rather than discarding them entirely. This greatly reduces the operator entanglement entropy, while still giving accurate predictions for diffusion constants across all density scales. We further construct a minimal model for the transport crossover, yielding charge correlation functions which agree well with our numerical data. Our results clarify the dominant contributions to hydrodynamic correlation functions of conserved densities, and serve as a guide for generalizations to low temperature transport.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

The operator growth hypothesis in open quantum systems

The operator growth hypothesis (OGH) is a technical conjecture about the behaviour of operators -- specifically, the asymptotic growth of their Lanczos coefficients -- under repeated action by a Liouvillian. It is expected to hold for a sufficiently generic closed many-body system. When it holds, it yields bounds on the high frequency behavior of local correlation functions and measures of chaos (like OTOCs). It also gives a route to numerically estimating response functions. Here we investigate the generalisation of OGH to open quantum systems, where the Liouvillian is replaced by a Lindbladian. For a quantum system with local Hermitian jump operators, we show that the OGH is modified: we define a generalisation of the Lanczos coefficient and show that it initially grows linearly as in the original OGH, but experiences exponentially growing oscillations on scales determined by the dissipation strength. We see this behavior manifested in a semi-analytically solvable model (large-q SYK with dissipation), numerically for an ergodic spin chain, and in a solvable toy model for operator growth in the presence of dissipation (which resembles a non-Hermitian single-particle hopping process). Finally, we show that the modified OGH connects to a fundamental difference between Lindblad and closed systems: at high frequencies, the spectral functions of the former decay algebraically, while in the latter they decay exponentially. This is an experimentally testable statement, which also places limitations on the applicability of Lindbladians to systems in contact with equilibrium environments.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2023

Mobility edges through inverted quantum many-body scarring

We show that the rainbow state, which has volume law entanglement entropy for most choices of bipartitions, can be embedded in a many-body localized spectrum. For a broad range of disorder strengths in the resulting model, we numerically find a narrow window of highly entangled states in the spectrum, embedded in a sea of area law entangled states. The construction hence embeds mobility edges in many-body localized systems. This can be thought of as the complement to many-body scars, an `inverted quantum many-body scar', providing a further type of setting where the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis is violated.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2022

Escaping many-body localization in an exact eigenstate

Isolated quantum systems typically follow the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis, but there are exceptions, such as many-body localized (MBL) systems and quantum many-body scars. Here, we present the study of a weak violation of MBL due to a special state embedded in a spectrum of MBL states. The special state is not MBL since it displays logarithmic scaling of the entanglement entropy and of the bipartite fluctuations of particle number with subsystem size. In contrast, the bulk of the spectrum becomes MBL as disorder is introduced. We establish this by studying the entropy as a function of disorder strength and by observing that the level spacing statistics undergoes a transition from Wigner-Dyson to Poisson statistics as the disorder strength is increased.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2021

Topological Quantum Many-Body Scars in Quantum Dimer Models on the Kagome Lattice

We present a class of quantum dimer models on the kagome lattice with full translational invariance that feature a quantum many-body scar state of analytically known entanglement properties within their spectra. Using exact diagonalization on lattices of up to 60 sites, we show that non-scar states conform to the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis. Specifically, we show that energies are distributed according to the Gaussian ensemble expected of their respective symmetry sector, illustrate the existence of the scar from bipartite entanglement properties, and demonstrate revival phenomena in studies of fidelity dynamics.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2021

Squeezing anyons for braiding on small lattices

Adiabatically exchanging anyons gives rise to topologically protected operations on the quantum state of the system, but the desired result is only achieved if the anyons are well separated, which requires a sufficiently large area. Being able to reduce the area needed for the exchange, however, would have several advantages, such as enabling a larger number of operations per area and allowing anyon exchange to be studied in smaller systems that are easier to handle. Here, we use optimization techniques to squeeze the charge distribution of Abelian anyons in lattice fractional quantum Hall models, and we show that the squeezed anyons can be exchanged within a smaller area with a close to ideal outcome. We first use a toy model consisting of a modified Laughlin trial state to show that one can shape the anyons without altering the exchange statistics under certain conditions. We then squeeze and braid anyons in the Kapit-Mueller model and an interacting Hofstadter model by adding suitable potentials. We consider a fixed system size, for which the charge distributions of the normal anyons overlap, and we find that the outcome of the exchange process is closer to the ideal value for the squeezed anyons. The time needed for the exchange is also important, and for a particular example we find that the duration needed for the process to be close to the adiabatic limit is about five times longer for the squeezed anyons when the path length is the same. Finally we show that the exchange outcome is robust with respect to small modifications of the potential away from the optimized value.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Quasiparticles as Detector of Topological Quantum Phase Transitions

A number of tools have been developed to detect topological phase transitions in strongly correlated quantum systems. They apply under different conditions, but do not cover the full range of many-body models. It is hence desirable to further expand the toolbox. Here, we propose to use quasiparticle properties to detect quantum phase transitions. The approach is independent from the choice of boundary conditions, and it does not assume a particular lattice structure. The probe is hence suitable for, e.g., fractals and quasicrystals. The method requires that one can reliably create quasiparticles in the considered systems. In the simplest cases, this can be done by a pinning potential, while it is less straightforward in more complicated systems. We apply the method to several rather different examples, including one that cannot be handled by the commonly used probes, and in all the cases we find that the numerical costs are low. This is so, because a simple property, such as the charge of the anyons, is sufficient to detect the phase transition point. For some of the examples, this allows us to study larger systems and/or further parameter values compared to previous studies.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Quantum many-body scars with chiral topological order in 2D and critical properties in 1D

We construct few-body, interacting, nonlocal Hamiltonians with a quantum scar state in an otherwise thermalizing many-body spectrum. In one dimension, the embedded state is a critical state, and in two dimensions, the embedded state is a chiral topologically ordered state. The models are defined on slightly disordered lattices, and the scar state appears independent of the precise realization of the disorder. A parameter allows the scar state to be placed at any position in the spectrum. We show that the level spacing distributions are Wigner-Dyson and that the entanglement entropies of the states in the middle of the spectrum are close to the Page value. Finally, we confirm the topological order in the scar state by showing that one can insert anyons into the state.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Excitonic collective modes in Weyl semi-metals

Weyl semi-metals are three dimensional generalizations of graphene with point-like Fermi surfaces. Their linear electronic dispersion leads to a window in the particle-hole excitation spectrum which allows for undamped propagation of collective excitations. We argue that interactions in Weyl semi-metals generically lead to well-defined exciton modes. However, using a minimal model for interactions, we show that the exciton binding energy is exponentially small for weak interactions. This is due to effective two-dimensional character in the space of particle-hole pairs that are available for bound state formation. This is ultimately a consequence of linear electronic dispersion in three dimensions. Nevertheless, intermediate interaction strengths can lead to sharp spin-carrying excitonic resonances. We demonstrate this in a model Weyl semi-metal with broken time-reversal symmetry and Hubbard interactions, using GRPA (generalized random phase approximation) analysis. Excitons in Weyl semi-metals have evoked interest as their condensation could lead to an axionic charge density wave order. However, we find that the leading instability corresponds to intra-valley spin density wave order which shifts the Weyl points without opening a gap. Our results suggest interesting directions for experimental studies of three dimensional Dirac systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2020

Disordered Haldane-Shastry model

The Haldane-Shastry model is one of the most studied interacting spin systems. The Yangian symmetry makes it exactly solvable, and the model has semionic excitations. We introduce disorder into the Haldane-Shastry model by allowing the spins to sit at random positions on the unit circle and study the properties of the eigenstates. At weak disorder, the spectrum is similar to the spectrum of the clean Haldane-Shastry model. At strong disorder, the long-range interactions in the model do not decay as a simple power law. The eigenstates in the middle of the spectrum follow a volume law, but the coefficient is small, and the entropy is hence much less than for an ergodic system. In addition, the energy level spacing statistics is neither Poissonian nor of the Wigner-Dyson type. The behavior at strong disorder hence serves as an example of a non-ergodic phase, which is not of the many-body localized kind, in a model with long-range interactions and SU(2) symmetry.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2020

Many-body delocalization via symmetry emergence

Many-body localization (MBL) provides a mechanism to avoid thermalization in many-body quantum systems. Here, we show that an {\it emergent} symmetry can protect a state from MBL. Specifically, we propose a $\Z_2$ symmetric model with nonlocal interactions, which has an analytically known, SU(2) invariant, critical ground state. At large disorder strength all states at finite energy density are in a glassy MBL phase, while the lowest energy states are not. These do, however, localize when a perturbation destroys the emergent SU(2) symmetry. The model also provides an example of MBL in the presence of nonlocal, disordered interactions that are more structured than a power law. The presented ideas raise the possibility of an `inverted quantum scar', in which a state that does not exhibit area law entanglement is embedded in an MBL spectrum, which does.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2019

Truncation of lattice fractional quantum Hall Hamiltonians derived from conformal field theory

Conformal field theory has recently been applied to derive few-body Hamiltonians whose ground states are lattice versions of fractional quantum Hall states. The exact lattice models involve interactions over long distances, which is difficult to realize in experiments. It seems, however, that such long-range interactions should not be necessary, as the correlations decay exponentially in the bulk. This poses the question, whether the Hamiltonians can be truncated to contain only local interactions without changing the physics of the ground state. Previous studies have in a couple of cases with particularly much symmetry obtained such local Hamiltonians by keeping only a few local terms and numerically optimizing the coefficients. Here, we investigate a different strategy to construct truncated Hamiltonians, which does not rely on optimization, and which can be applied independent of the choice of lattice. We test the approach on two models with bosonic Laughlin-like ground states with filling factor $1/2$ and $1/4$, respectively. We first investigate how the coupling strengths in the exact Hamiltonians depend on distance, and then we study the truncated models. For the case of $1/2$ filling, we find that the truncated model with truncation radius $\sqrt{2}$ lattice constants on the square lattice and $1$ lattice constant on the triangular lattice has an approximate twofold ground state degeneracy on the torus, and the overlap per site between these states and the states constructed from conformal field theory is higher than $0.99$ for the lattices considered. For the model at $1/4$ filling, our results give some hints that a truncation radius of $\sqrt{5}$ on the square lattice and $\sqrt{7}$ on the triangular lattice might be enough, but the finite size effects are too large to judge whether the topology is, indeed, present in the thermodynamic limit.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2019

Local Hamiltonians for one-dimensional critical models

Conformal field theory has turned out to be a powerful tool to derive interesting lattice models with analytical ground states. Here, we investigate a class of critical, one-dimensional lattice models of fermions and hardcore bosons related to the Laughlin states. The Hamiltonians of the exact models involve interactions over long distances that are difficult to realize experimentally. This motivates us to study the properties of models with the same type of interactions, but now only between nearest and possibly next-nearest neighbor sites. Based on computations of wavefunction overlaps, entanglement entropies, and two-site correlation functions for systems of up to 32 sites, we find that the ground state is close to the ground state of the exact model. There is also a high overlap per site between the lowest excited states for the local and the exact models, although the energies of the low-lying excited states are modified to some extent for the system sizes considered. We also briefly discuss possibilities for realizing the local models in ultracold atoms in optical lattices.

quant-ph↗