Topological edge states in a Rydberg composite

TL;DR

This paper explores topological phases and edge states in a Rydberg composite system, demonstrating the realization of topologically protected states through mapping to well-known models like the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model.

Contribution

It introduces a method to realize and study topological phases in Rydberg composites by tuning atomic arrangements and excitation, linking atomic physics with topological condensed matter models.

Findings

Confirmed topologically protected edge states in Rydberg composites

Mapped Rydberg systems to the SSH model for topological analysis

Extended study to more complex systems with trimer unit cells

Abstract

We examine topological phases and symmetry-protected electronic edge states in the context of a Rydberg composite: a Rydberg atom interfaced with a structured arrangement of ground-state atoms. The electronic Hamiltonian of such a composite possesses a direct mapping to a tight-binding Hamiltonian, which enables the realization and study of a variety of systems with non-trivial topology by tuning the arrangement of ground-state atoms and the excitation of the Rydberg atom. The Rydberg electron moves in a combined potential including the long-ranged Coulomb interaction with the Rydberg core and short-ranged interactions with each neutral atom; the effective interactions between sites are determined by this combination. We first confirm the existence of topologically-protected edge states in a Rydberg composite by mapping it to the paradigmatic Su-Schrieffer-Heeger dimer model. Following that, we study more complicated systems with trimer unit cells which can be easily simulated with a Rydberg composite.