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Quantum Simulation of Frustrated Spin Models with Trapped Ions

Phil Richerme, Joint Quantum Institute

(Session 1 : Thursday from 9:15 - 9:45)

Abstract. Frustration, or the competition between interacting components of a network, is a hallmark of poorly understood systems such as quantum spin liquids, spin glasses, and spin ices. We study frustrated antiferromagnetic interactions within a fully-connected transverse-field Ising model using a linear chain of 10+ trapped Yb-171+ ions. The Ising interactions are generated via phonon-mediated spin-dependent laser forces, with the form and range of such interactions controlled by manipulation of laser frequencies and trap voltages. State-dependent fluorescence imaging of the ions allows measurement of spin correlation functions as the antiferromagnetic interaction range is increased, revealing increasing amounts of frustration in the system. We are also investigating the nature of spin ordering in an Ising model with both transverse and axial magnetic fields and Kibble-Zurek-like dynamics within the spin system that may be difficult to calculate classically. This work was supported by grants from the U.S. Army Research Office with funding from IARPA, the DARPA OLE program, and the MURI Hybrid Quantum Circuits program; and the NSF Physics Frontier Center at JQI. Co-authors: R. Islam, C. Senko, W.C. Campbell, S. Korenblit, J. Smith, A. Lee, and C. Monroe.