Trapped-Ion Quantum Simulation of Electron Transfer Models with Tunable Dissipation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a controlled quantum simulation of electron transfer processes using trapped ions, allowing detailed study of dynamics relevant to molecular electronics and light-harvesting systems.

Contribution

It introduces an experimental platform that independently controls key parameters of electron transfer models with trapped ions, enabling detailed quantum simulations.

Findings

Real-time observation of spin excitation transfer dynamics.

Measurement of transfer rates across different regimes.

Validation of the simulation platform for complex molecular models.

Abstract

Electron transfer is at the heart of many fundamental physical, chemical, and biochemical processes essential for life. The exact simulation of these reactions is often hindered by the large number of degrees of freedom and by the essential role of quantum effects. Here, we experimentally simulate a paradigmatic model of molecular electron transfer using a multispecies trapped-ion crystal, where the donor-acceptor gap, the electronic and vibronic couplings, and the bath relaxation dynamics can all be controlled independently. By manipulating both the ground-state and optical qubits, we observe the real-time dynamics of the spin excitation, measuring the transfer rate in several regimes of adiabaticity and relaxation dynamics. Our results provide a testing ground for increasingly rich models of molecular excitation transfer processes that are relevant for molecular electronics and light-harvesting systems.