Deconfining disordered phase in two-dimensional quantum link models

TL;DR

This paper investigates the ground-state phases of 2D quantum link models, revealing a transition from ordered to deconfined disordered phases with potential for quantum simulation of complex gauge phenomena.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of a deconfined disordered phase in 2D quantum link models, expanding understanding of confinement and deconfinement in lattice gauge theories.

Findings

Disordered phase resembles Rokhsar-Kivelson point of quantum dimer model

Stripe phases are confined, disordered phase is deconfined

Boundary properties indicate Haldane-like behavior in the disordered phase

Abstract

We explore the ground-state physics of two-dimensional spin-$1/2$ $U(1)$ quantum link models, one of the simplest non-trivial lattice gauge theories with fermionic matter within experimental reach for quantum simulations. Whereas in the large mass limit we observe Ne\'el-like vortex-antivortex and striped crystalline phases, for small masses there is a transition from the striped phases into a disordered phase whose properties resemble those at the Rokhsar-Kivelson point of the quantum dimer model. This phase is characterized on ladders by boundary Haldane-like properties, such as vanishing parity and finite string ordering. Moreover, from studies of the string tension between gauge charges, we find that whereas the stripe phases are confined, the novel disordered phase present clear indications of being deconfined. Our results open exciting perspectives of studying highly non-trivial physics in quantum simulators, such as spin-liquid behavior and confinement-deconfinement transitions, without the need of explicitly engineering plaquette terms.