A Rydberg-Decorated Atomic Array for the quantum simulation of Gauge theories

Objective

Gauge theories form a cornerstone of modern physics, underpinning the Standard Model of particle interactions and providing effective low-energy descriptions of strongly correlated condensed matter systems, such as spin liquids and high-temperature superconductors. Their broad applicability, particularly in two and three dimensions, makes them a central topic of current research. Yet, analytical approaches are notoriously difficult, and numerical methods remain restricted to low-dimensional systems and short timescales. Quantum simulators, with their high degree of controllability, offer a powerful path to overcome these limitations and explore higher-dimensional gauge theories. Rydberg atom arrays are especially promising: the configurability of optical tweezers combined with the Rydberg blockade can naturally enforce gauge constraints. Yet, on a 2D lattice, realising gauge invariance and magnetic (plaquette) interactions requires (at least) three-body interactions, which remain a significant challenge. RyDAG addresses this by building a strontium-88 Rydberg tweezer platform, which combines a dual approach with the superatom framework developed by our theory collaborators to simulate, for the first time, plaquette dynamics. The project will particularly focus on the study of equilibrium and dynamical properties of a U(1) 2D lattice gauge theory known as the Rokhsar–Kivelson model. Beyond gauge theory simulation, the project will also establish the superatom framework as a versatile toolbox for investigating complex spin systems.