Topologically protected edge states in small Rydberg systems

TL;DR

This paper proposes a Rydberg atom setup in a honeycomb lattice that exhibits topologically protected edge states, enabling potential quantum information applications with small systems.

Contribution

It introduces a simple experimental setup combining dipolar interactions and magnetic fields to realize topological edge states in small Rydberg systems.

Findings

Edge states detectable in systems with as few as 10 atoms

Signatures of topological protection in realistic parameters

Potential for quantum information processing

Abstract

We propose a simple setup of Rydberg atoms in a honeycomb lattice which gives rise to topologically protected edge states. The proposal is based on the combination of dipolar exchange interaction, which couples the internal angular momentum and the orbital degree of freedom of a Rydberg excitation, and a static magnetic field breaking time reversal symmetry. We demonstrate that for realistic experimental parameters, signatures of topologically protected edge states are present in small systems with as few as 10 atoms. Our analysis paves the way for the experimental realization of Rydberg systems characterized by a topological invariant, providing a promising setup for future application in quantum information.