arXiv subjects

Robert M. Konik

Publications and source records attributed to Robert M. Konik.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Breakdown of Quantum Chaos in the Staggered-Field XXZ Chain: Confinement and Meson Formation

Confinement of fractionalized excitations can strongly restructure many-body spectra. We investigate this phenomenon in the gapped spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ XXZ chain subject to a staggered field, where spinons bind into domain-wall ``mesons'' deep in the antiferromagnetic phase. We present evidence that this non-integrable model exhibits both Hilbert space fractionalization and quantum scar formation as controlled by the anisotropy parameter $Δ$. Exact diagonalization across symmetry-resolved sectors reveals a crossover from Gaussian-orthogonal (chaotic) level statistics at weak anisotropy $Δ\sim 1$ to non-ergodic behavior deep in the antiferromagnetic regime $Δ\gg 1$ through scrutinizing the adjacent gap ratios, accompanied by a striking banding of eigenstates by domain-wall number in correlation and entanglement measures. The Page-like entanglement dome characteristic of chaotic spectra gives way to suppressed, band-resolved entanglement consistent with emergent quasi-conservation of domain walls. To investigate further the formation mechanism of mesonic scar states, we carry out meson spectroscopy near the two-spinon threshold and compare with the analytic ladder predicted by Rutkevich [Phys. Rev. B 106, 134405 (2022)]. We test the theory through continuum-relative bindings, an offset-removed Airy scaling collapse, and explicit two-meson thresholds that determine the number of stable meson levels. The low-lying spectrum shows close quantitative agreement, while deviations at higher energies are consistent with finite-size and subleading corrections. These results establish a unified account of confinement-induced nonergodicity and provide a template for quantitative meson spectroscopy in quantum spin chains.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Witnessing Quantum Entanglement Using Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

Although entanglement is both a central ingredient in our understanding of quantum many-body systems and an essential resource for quantum technologies, we only have a limited ability to quantify entanglement in real quantum materials. Thus far, entanglement metrology in quantum materials has been limited to measurements involving Hermitian operators, such as the detection of spin entanglement using inelastic neutron scattering. Here, we devise a method to extract the quantum Fisher information (QFI) from non-Hermitian operators and formulate an entanglement witness for resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS). Our approach is then applied to the model iridate dimer system Ba$_3$CeIr$_2$O$_9$ and used to directly test for entanglement of the electronic orbitals between neighboring Ir sites. We find the entanglement can be detected if we account for the expected symmetries, parity, and electron number conservation, of the dimer system. We also consider the roles that the incident and outgoing x-ray polarizations and the incident photon energy play in entanglement detection. Our protocol provides a new handle for entanglement detection in quantum materials.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2026

Universal Euler-Cartan Circuits for Quantum Field Theories

Quantum computers can efficiently solve problems which are widely believed to lie beyond the reach of classical computers. In the near-term, hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, which efficiently embed quantum hardware in classical frameworks, are crucial in bridging the vast divide in the performance of the purely-quantum algorithms and their classical counterparts. Here, a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm is presented for the computation of non-perturbative characteristics of quantum field theories. The presented algorithm relies on a universal parametrized quantum circuit ansatz based on Euler and Cartan's decompositions of single and two-qubit operators. It is benchmarked by computing the energy spectra of lattice realizations of quantum field theories with both short and long range interactions. Low depth circuits are provided for false vacua as well as highly excited states corresponding to mesonic and baryonic excitations occurring in the analyzed models. The described algorithm opens a hitherto-unexplored avenue for the investigation of mass-ratios, scattering amplitudes and false-vacuum decays in quantum field theories.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2026

Simulating Lattice Gauge Theories with Virtual Rishons

Classical tensor network and hybrid quantum-classical algorithms are promising candidates for the investigation of real-time properties of lattice gauge theories. We develop here a novel framework which enforces gauge symmetry via a quantum-link virtual rishon representation applied at intermediate steps. Crucially, the gauge and matter degrees of freedom are dynamical variables encoded in terms of qubits, enabling analysis of gauge theories in $d+1$ spacetime dimensions. We benchmark this framework in a U(1) gauge theory with and without matter fields. For $d = 1$, the multi-flavor Schwinger model with $1\leq N_f\leq3$ flavors is analyzed for arbitrary boundary conditions and nonzero topological angle, capturing signatures of the underlying Wess-Zumino-Witten conformal field theory. For $d = 2$, we extract the confining string tension in close agreement with continuum expectations. These results establish the virtual rishon framework as a scalable and robust approach for the simulation of lattice gauge theories using both classical tensor networks as well as near-term quantum hardware.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Signatures of Topological Symmetries on a Noisy Quantum Simulator

Topological symmetries, invertible and otherwise, play a fundamental role in the investigation of quantum field theories. Despite their ubiquitous importance across a multitude of disciplines ranging from string theory to condensed matter physics, controlled realizations of models exhibiting these symmetries in physical systems are rare. Quantum simulators based on engineered solid-state devices provide a novel alternative to conventional condensed matter systems for realizing these models. In this work, eigenstates of impurity Hamiltonians and loop operators associated with the topological symmetries for the Ising conformal field theory in two space-time dimensions are realized on IBM's Kingston simulator. The relevant states are created on the quantum device using a hybrid quantum-classical algorithm. The latter is based on a variation of the quantum approximate optimization algorithm ansatz combined with the quantum natural gradient optimization method. Signatures of the topological symmetry are captured by measuring correlation functions of different qubit operators with results obtained from the quantum device in reasonable agreement with those obtained from classical computations. The current work demonstrates the viability of noisy quantum simulators as platforms for investigating low-dimensional quantum field theories with direct access to observables that are often difficult to probe in conventional condensed matter experiments.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Efficient Quantum Circuits based on the Quantum Natural Gradient

Efficient preparation of arbitrary entangled quantum states is crucial for quantum computation. This is particularly important for noisy intermediate scale quantum simulators relying on variational hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. To that end, we propose symmetry-conserving modified quantum approximate optimization algorithm~(SCom-QAOA) circuits. The depths of these circuits depend not only on the desired fidelity to the target state, but also on the amount of entanglement the state contains. The parameters of the SCom-QAOA circuits are optimized using the quantum natural gradient method based on the Fubini-Study metric. The SCom-QAOA circuit transforms an unentangled state into a ground state of a gapped one-dimensional Hamiltonian with a circuit-depth that depends not on the system-size, but rather on the finite correlation length. In contrast, the circuit depth grows proportionally to the system size for preparing low-lying states of critical one-dimensional systems. Even in the latter case, SCom-QAOA circuits with depth less than the system-size were sufficient to generate states with fidelity in excess of 99\%, which is relevant for near-term applications. The proposed scheme enlarges the set of the initial states accessible for variational quantum algorithms and widens the scope of investigation of non-equilibrium phenomena in quantum simulators.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Detecting Multipartite Entanglement Patterns using Single Particle Green's Functions

We present a protocol for detecting multipartite entanglement in itinerant many-body electronic systems using single particle Green's functions. To achieve this, we first establish a connection between the quantum Fisher information (QFI) and single particle Green's functions by constructing a set of witness operators built out of single electron creation and destruction operators in a doubled system. This set of witness operators is indexed by a momenta $k$. We compute the QFI for these witness operators and show that for thermal ensembles it can be expressed as an auto-convolution of the single particle spectral function. We then apply our framework to a one-dimensional fermionic system to showcase its effectiveness in detecting entanglement in itinerant electron models. We observe that the detected entanglement level is sensitive to the wave vector associated with witness operator. Our protocol will permit detecting entanglement in many-body systems using scanning tunneling microscopy and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, two spectroscopies that measure the single particle Green's function. It offers the prospect of the experimental detection of entanglement through spectroscopies beyond the established route of measuring the dynamical spin response.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Feedback-based Quantum Algorithm Inspired by Counterdiabatic Driving

In recent quantum algorithmic developments, a feedback-based approach has shown promise for preparing quantum many-body system ground states and solving combinatorial optimization problems. This method utilizes quantum Lyapunov control to iteratively construct quantum circuits. Here, we propose a substantial enhancement by implementing a protocol that uses ideas from quantum Lyapunov control and the counterdiabatic driving protocol, a key concept from quantum adiabaticity. Our approach introduces an additional control field inspired by counterdiabatic driving. We apply our algorithm to prepare ground states in one-dimensional quantum Ising spin chains. Comprehensive simulations demonstrate a remarkable acceleration in population transfer to low-energy states within a significantly reduced time frame compared to conventional feedback-based quantum algorithms. This acceleration translates to a reduced quantum circuit depth, a critical metric for potential quantum computer implementation. We validate our algorithm on the IBM cloud computer, highlighting its efficacy in expediting quantum computations for many-body systems and combinatorial optimization problems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2024

Prethermalization in coupled one-dimensional quantum gases

We consider the problem of the development of steady states in one-dimensional Bose gas tubes that are weakly coupled to one another through a density-density interaction. We analyze this development through a Boltzmann collision integral approach. We argue that when the leading order of the collision integral, where single particle-hole excitations are created in individual gases, is dominant, the state of the gas evolves first to a non-thermal fixed point, i.e. a prethermalization plateau. This order is dominant when a pair of tubes are inequivalent with, say, different temperatures or different effective interaction parameters, $γ$. We characterize this non-thermal prethermalization plateau, constructing both the quasi-conserved quantities that control the existence of this plateau as well as the associated generalized Gibbs ensemble.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2023

Ultrafast Control of Magnetic Correlations in a Heisenberg Spin Ladder

We study the time-dependent response of a Heisenberg spin ladder subjected to a time-dependent square form variation of its rung spin exchange coupling. To do so, we employ a field theoretic representation of the Heisenberg spin ladder consisting of a singlet and a triplet of Majorana fermions. Because this underlying description is free fermionic, we are able to develop closed form analytic expressions for dynamical quantities, both one-body measures of local spin correlations as well as two-time correlation functions. These expressions involve both the gaps to triplet and singlet excitations. We analyze these expressions obtaining both the time scales for their transients and long-time athermal steady state behaviors. We show that variations in the rung coupling are directly tied to changes in the local antiferromagnetic correlations. We further discuss the application of these results to pump-probe experiments on material realizations of low-dimensional magnetic systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2023

Extending the Thermodynamic Form Factor Bootstrap Program: Multiple particle-hole excitations, crossing symmetry, and reparameterization invariance

In this study, we further the thermodynamic bootstrap program which involves a set of recently developed ideas used to determine thermodynamic form factors of local operators in integrable quantum field theories. These form factors are essential building blocks for dynamic correlation functions at finite temperatures or non-equilibrium stationary states. In this work we extend this program in three ways. Firstly, we demonstrate that the conjectured annihilation pole axiom is valid in the low energy particle-hole excitations. Secondly, we introduce a crossing relation, which establishes a connection between form factors with different excitation content. Typically, the crossing relation is a consequence of Lorentz invariance, but due to the finite energy density of the considered states, Lorentz invariance is broken. Nonetheless a crossing relation involving excitations with both particles and holes can established using the finite volume representation of the thermodynamic form factors. Finally, we demonstrate that the thermodynamic form factors satisfy a reparameterization invariance, an invariance which encompasses crossing. Reparameterization invariance exploits the fact that the details of the representation of the thermodynamic state are unimportant. In the course of developing these results, we demonstrate the internal consistency of the thermodynamic form factor bootstrap program in a number of ways. Finally, we provide explicit computations of form factors of conserved charges and densities with crossed excitations and show our results can be used to infer information about thermodynamic form factors in the Lieb-Liniger model.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Krylov Spaces for Truncated Spectrum Methodologies

We propose herein an extension of truncated spectrum methodologies (TSMs), a non-perturbative numerical approach able to elucidate the low energy properties of quantum field theories. TSMs, in their various flavors, involve a division of a computational Hilbert space, $\mathcal{H}$, into two parts, one part, $\mathcal{H}_1$ that is `kept' for the numerical computations, and one part, $\mathcal{H}_2$, that is discarded or `truncated'. Even though $\mathcal{H}_2$ is discarded, TSMs will often try to incorporate the effects of $\mathcal{H}_2$ in some effective way. In these terms, we propose to keep the dimension of $\mathcal{H}_1$ small. We pair this choice of $\mathcal{H}_1$ with a Krylov subspace iterative approach able to take into account the effects of $\mathcal{H}_2$. This iterative approach can be taken to arbitrarily high order and so offers the ability to compute quantities to arbitrary precision. In many cases it also offers the advantage of not needing an explicit UV cutoff. To compute the matrix elements that arise in the Krylov iterations, we employ a Feynman diagrammatic representation that is then evaluated with Monte Carlo techniques. Each order of the Krylov iteration is variational and is guaranteed to improve upon the previous iteration. The first Krylov iteration is akin to the NLO approach of Elias-Miró et al. \cite{Elias-Miro:2017tup}. To demonstrate this approach, we focus on the $1+1d$ dimensional $ϕ^4$ model and compute the bulk energy and mass gaps in both the $\mathbb{Z}_2$-broken and unbroken sectors. We estimate the critical $ϕ^4$ coupling in the broken phase to be $g_c=0.2645\pm0.002$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Thermalization of interacting quasi-one-dimensional systems

Many experimentally relevant systems are quasi-one-dimensional, consisting of nearly decoupled chains. In these systems, there is a natural separation of scales between the strong intra-chain interactions and the weak interchain coupling. When the intra-chain interactions are integrable, weak interchain couplings play a crucial part in thermalizing the system. Here, we develop a Boltzmann-equation formalism involving a collision integral that is asymptotically exact for any interacting integrable system, and apply it to develop a quantitative theory of relaxation in coupled Bose gases in the experimentally relevant Newton's cradle setup. We find that relaxation involves a broad spectrum of timescales. We provide evidence that the Markov process governing relaxation at late times is gapless; thus, the approach to equilibrium is generally non-exponential, even for spatially uniform perturbations.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2022

Generalized entanglement entropies in two-dimensional conformal field theory

We introduce and study generalized Rényi entropies defined through the traces of products of ${\rm Tr}_B (|Ψ_i\rangle\langle Ψ_j|)$ where $|Ψ_i\rangle$ are eigenstates of a two-dimensional conformal field theory (CFT). When $|Ψ_i\rangle=|Ψ_j\rangle$ these objects reduce to the standard Rényi entropies of the eigenstates of the CFT. Exploiting the path integral formalism, we show that the second generalized Rényi entropies are equivalent to four-point correlators. We then focus on a free bosonic theory for which the mode expansion of the fields allows us to develop an efficient strategy to compute the second generalized Rényi entropy for all eigenstates. As a byproduct, our approach also leads to new results for the standard Rényi and relative entropies involving arbitrary descendent states of the bosonic CFT.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Post-Quantum Quench Growth of Renyi Entropies in Low Dimensional Continuum Bosonic Systems

The growth of Renyi entropies after the injection of energy into a correlated system provides a window upon the dynamics of its entanglement properties. We develop here a simulation scheme by which this growth can be determined in Luttinger liquids systems with arbitrary interactions, even those introducing gaps into the liquid. We apply this scheme to an experimentally relevant quench in the sine-Gordon field theory. While for short times we provide an analytic expression for the growth of the second and third Renyi entropy, to access longer times, we combine our scheme with truncated spectrum methods.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2022

Nuclear matter in 1+1 dimensions

We review the solution of QCD in two spacetime dimensions. Following the analysis of Baluni, for a single flavor the model can be analyzed using Abelian bosonization. The theory can be analyzed in strong coupling, when the quarks are much lighter than the gauge coupling. In this limit, the theory is given by a Luttinger liquid.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

When cold, dense quarks in 1+1 and 3+1 dimensions are not a Fermi liquid

We analyze the behavior of quarks coupled to a $SU(N_c)$ gauge theory in 1+1 dimensions. In the limit of strong coupling, the model reduces to a Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten (WZNW) model. At nonzero density, excitations near the Fermi surface form a non-Fermi liquid. With $N_f$ flavors, the finite density of quarks reduce to a free $U(1)$ field, which governs fluctuations in baryon number, together with a WZNW $SU(N_f)$ nonlinear sigma model at level $N_c$, from the pion/kaon modes. We compute the singularity in the charge susceptibility at the Fermi surface and the attendant power law correlations. We suggest that this is relevant to the quarkyonic regime of cold, dense QCD in 3+1 dimensions, in the limit that the Fermi surface is covered by many small patches, and the theory is effectively one dimensional. In this regime the dominant excitations near the Fermi surface are not baryons, but gapless bosonic modes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Machine learning of Kondo physics using variational autoencoders and symbolic regression

We employ variational autoencoders to extract physical insight from a dataset of one-particle Anderson impurity model spectral functions. Autoencoders are trained to find a low-dimensional, latent space representation that faithfully characterizes each element of the training set, as measured by a reconstruction error. Variational autoencoders, a probabilistic generalization of standard autoencoders, further condition the learned latent space to promote highly interpretable features. In our study, we find that the learned latent variables strongly correlate with well known, but nontrivial, parameters that characterize emergent behaviors in the Anderson impurity model. In particular, one latent variable correlates with particle-hole asymmetry, while another is in near one-to-one correspondence with the Kondo temperature, a dynamically generated low-energy scale in the impurity model. Using symbolic regression, we model this variable as a function of the known bare physical input parameters and "rediscover" the non-perturbative formula for the Kondo temperature. The machine learning pipeline we develop suggests a general purpose approach which opens opportunities to discover new domain knowledge in other physical systems.

cond-mat.str-el↗