Quantum Simulation with Gauge Fixing: from Ising Lattice Gauge Theory to Dynamical Flux Model

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new approach to quantum simulation of gauge theories using gauge fixing, demonstrated on an Ising lattice gauge model, leading to a simplified dynamical flux model realizable in ultracold gases.

Contribution

It proposes a third method for simulating gauge theories based on gauge fixing, simplifying the model and enabling realization in cold atom systems.

Findings

Identification of a confinement to deconfinement phase transition.

Reduction of complex gauge theory to a simpler dynamical flux model.

Feasibility of Floquet engineering for quantum simulation in ultracold gases.

Abstract

Quantum simulation of synthetic dynamic gauge field has attracted much attentions in recent years. There are two traditional ways to simulate gauge theories. One is to directly simulate the full Hamiltonian of gauge theories with local gauge symmetries. And the other is to engineer the projected Hamiltonian in one gauge subsector. In this work, we provide the third way towards the simulation of gauge theories based on gauge fixing. To demonstrate this concept, we fix the gauge of an Ising lattice gauge field coupled with spinless fermions on a ladder geometry. After the gauge fixing, this gauge theory is reduced to a simpler model, in which fermions hop on a ladder with a fluctuating dynamical $\mathbb{Z}_{2}$ flux. Then we shows that this model can be realized via Floquet engineering in ultracold atomic gases. By analytical and numerical studies of this dynamical flux model, we deduce that there is confinement to deconfinement phase transition in the original unfixed gauge theory. This work paves the way to quantum simulate lattice gauge theory using the concept of gauge fixing, relevant both for condensed matter and high energy physics.