Quantum predator-prey cycles in dissipative Rydberg lattices

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum analogue of predator-prey dynamics using Rydberg atom arrays, demonstrating sustained oscillations and symmetry breaking driven by quantum coherence, with implications for quantum simulation of complex systems.

Contribution

It presents the first quantum predator-prey model in Rydberg lattices, showing how quantum effects influence oscillations and stability in many-body systems.

Findings

Rydberg excitations exhibit predator-prey cycles on microsecond timescales.

Quantum coherence induces spontaneous symmetry breaking.

Quantum jumps lead to quasicycles with amplitude scaling inversely with system size.

Abstract

The Lotka-Volterra model is a paradigm for self-organized predator-prey oscillations in far-from-equilibrium systems, yet testing it in real-world ecosystems is hindered by uncontrollable microscopic parameters. Here, we propose a quantum analogue of predator-prey dynamics using a tunable two-dimensional Rydberg atom array. Through mean-field analysis and numerical simulations based on the open-system discrete truncated Wigner approximation, we demonstrate that Rydberg excitations exhibit predator-prey cycles on microsecond timescales. We show that quantum coherence drives spontaneous symmetry breaking, while long-range interactions stabilize global oscillations against quantum-noise-induced desynchronization. We further reveal that quantum jump induce quasicycles whose amplitude scales inversely with the square root of the system size. Our work extends the study of predator-prey models to the quantum realm and advances quantum simulation stratagies that leverage engineered many-body nonequilibrium effects.