Spin-Peierls Quantum Phase Transitions in Coulomb Crystals

TL;DR

This paper proposes using cold Coulomb crystals of trapped ions as a platform to experimentally study quantum spin-Peierls phase transitions, highlighting potential for quantum simulation beyond classical computational capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach to investigate quantum spin-Peierls transitions using ion-trap systems, combining analytical and numerical analyses.

Findings

Feasibility of simulating spin-Peierls transitions with ion traps

Identification of regimes surpassing classical computational power

Detailed analysis of quantum fluctuation-driven structural transitions

Abstract

The spin-Peierls instability describes a structural transition of a crystal due to strong magnetic interactions. Here we demonstrate that cold Coulomb crystals of trapped ions provide an experimental testbed in which to study this complex many-body problem and to access extreme regimes where the instability is triggered by quantum fluctuations alone. We present a consistent analysis based on different analytical and numerical methods, and provide a detailed discussion of its feasibility on the basis of ion-trap experiments. Moreover, we identify regimes where this quantum simulation may exceed the power of classical computers.