Quantum simulation of energy transport with embedded Rydberg aggregates

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how ultracold Rydberg atom arrays embedded in a laser-driven background gas can simulate exciton energy transport, with controllable disorder and decoherence, serving as a versatile platform for studying quantum measurement effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental setup using Rydberg atoms and background gas to simulate and control energy transport and decoherence in quantum systems.

Findings

Controlled disorder and decoherence via laser parameters

Realization of a Haken-Reineker-Strobl model

Monitoring environment effects through excitation localization

Abstract

We show that an array of ultracold Rydberg atoms embedded in a laser driven background gas can serve as an aggregate for simulating exciton dynamics and energy transport with a controlled environment. Spatial disorder and decoherence introduced by the interaction with the background gas atoms can be controlled by the laser parameters. This allows for an almost ideal realization of a Haken-Reineker-Strobl type model for energy transport. Physics can be monitored using the same mechanism that provides control over the environment. The degree of decoherence is traced back to information gained on the excitation location through the monitoring, turning the setup into an experimentally accessible model system for studying the effects of quantum measurements on the dynamics of a many-body quantum system.