Generation of chiral spin state by quantum simulation

TL;DR

This paper proposes simple quantum simulation methods to generate chiral spin states in a spin-1/2 qubit system, enabling controlled chirality creation through interaction switching or initial state preparation.

Contribution

It introduces novel techniques for dynamically generating chiral spin states in quantum simulators without complex local control, using interaction toggling and initial state design.

Findings

Chiral states can be generated by switching Heisenberg and XY interactions.

Desirable chiral phases are achievable with proper initial states.

Chirality with phase π/2 can be produced even with always-on interactions.

Abstract

Chirality of materials in nature appears when there are asymmetries in their lattice structures or interactions in a certain environment. Recent development of quantum simulation technology has enabled the manipulation of qubits. Accordingly, chirality can be realized intentionally rather than passively observed. Here we theoretically provide simple methods to create a chiral spin state in a spin-1/2 qubit system on a square lattice. First, we show that switching ON/OFF the Heisenberg and $XY$ interactions produces the chiral interaction directly in the effective Hamiltonian without controlling local fields. Moreover, when initial states of spin-qubits are appropriately prepared, we prove that the chirality with desirable phase is dynamically obtained. Finally, even for the case where switching ON/OFF the interactions is infeasible and the interactions are always-on, we show that, by preparing an asymmetric initial qubit state, the chirality whose phase is $\pi/2$ is dynamically generated.