Simulating Quantum Magnetism with Correlated Non-Neutral Ion Plasmas

TL;DR

This paper discusses how to simulate quantum magnetism using spin-dependent forces on trapped ion crystals, enabling the engineering of various effective spin interactions for quantum simulation.

Contribution

It introduces methods to engineer and implement effective quantum spin Hamiltonians using correlated non-neutral ion plasmas in a Penning trap.

Findings

Effective spin interactions can be generated with trapped-ion crystals.

Both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic couplings are achievable.

A feasible experimental setup using single-plane ion crystals is proposed.

Abstract

By employing forces that depend on the internal electronic state (or spin) of an atomic ion, the Coulomb potential energy of a strongly coupled array of ions can be modified in a spin-dependent way to mimic effective quantum spin Hamiltonians. Both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions can be implemented. We use simple models to explain how the effective spin interactions are engineered with trapped-ion crystals. We summarize the type of effective spin interactions that can be readily generated, and discuss an experimental implementation using single-plane ion crystals in a Penning trap.