Dynamical Aharonov-Bohm cages and tight meson confinement in a Z2-loop gauge theory

Low-dimensional lattice gauge theories based on simplified gauge groups have emerged as relevant models of charge-confinement that can potentially be realized with quantum simulators. The intertwined dynamics of matter and gauge fields can result in quantum phases of the confined matter that have no...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Domanti, E.C., Bermudez, A., Amico, L.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:digitalcsic_::d99e628091424441b0a17713f2c7e68c
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/427518
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105014718897&doi=10.1038%2Fs42005-025-02284-x&partnerID=40&md5=5b8de119f1a17d90dd058d0c8e42e884
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Bosons
Electric fields
Gages
Lattice theory
Quantum chemistry
Quantum electronics
Charge confinement
Finite density
Gauge fields
Gauge group
Gauge theory
Lattice gauge theory
Low dimensional
Matter field
Quantum phase
Quantum simulators
Trapped ions
Descripción
Sumario:Low-dimensional lattice gauge theories based on simplified gauge groups have emerged as relevant models of charge-confinement that can potentially be realized with quantum simulators. The intertwined dynamics of matter and gauge fields can result in quantum phases of the confined matter that have not yet been fully explored, especially in connection to the underlying mechanisms behind confinement. Here we study the finite-density phases of a Z2 lattice gauge theory of interconnected loops and dynamical Z2 charges. We show that the gauge-magnetic flux threading each loop is responsible for a phenomenon of dynamical Aharonov-Bohm caging, determining the confinement of particles into tightly-bound charge-neutral pairs, the Z2 analogue of mesons. The latter are trapped inside the cages, which become mobile by adding quantum fluctuations through an external electric field. These tightly-bound mesons can either propagate, manifesting a Luttinger liquid behaviour, or form an incompressible Mott insulator. In light of recent trapped-ion experiments for a single Z2 loop, these phases could be explored in future experiments. © The Author(s) 2025.