Aharonov-Bohm effect for confined matter in lattice gauge theories

TL;DR

This paper proposes a quantum simulation scheme for lattice gauge theories, revealing a novel Aharonov-Bohm effect in confined mesons on a ring lattice, with observable coherence and current dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a specific quantum simulation approach for mesoscopic lattice gauge theories and uncovers a new Aharonov-Bohm effect related to confinement.

Findings

Discovery of a new Aharonov-Bohm effect beyond particle-like behavior.

Observation of persistent currents and correlation features indicating coherence.

Identification of matter-wave current dynamics following magnetic field quenches.

Abstract

Gauge theories arise in physical systems displaying space-time local symmetries. They provide a powerful description of important realms of physics ranging from fundamental interactions, to statistical mechanics, condensed matter and more recently quantum computation. As such, a remarkably deep understanding has been achieved in the field. With the advent of quantum technology, lower energy analogs, capable to capture important features of the original quantum field theories through quantum simulation, have been intensively studied. Here, we propose a specific scheme implementing an analogic quantum simulation of lattice gauge theories constrained to mesoscopic spatial scales. To this end, we study the dynamics of mesons residing in a ring-shaped lattice of mesoscopic size pierced by an effective magnetic field. In particular, we find a new type of Aharonov-Bohm effect that goes beyond the particle-like effect and reflecting the the features of the confining gauge potential. The coherence properties of the meson are quantified by the persistent current and by specific features of the correlation functions. When the magnetic field is quenched, Aharonov-Bohm oscillations and correlations start a specific matter-wave current dynamics.