Simulating nonlinear spin models in an ion trap

TL;DR

This paper presents a method to simulate nonlinear spin models using trapped ions by manipulating vibrational modes, enabling the study of complex quantum systems without needing to cool ions to their ground state.

Contribution

The authors introduce a technique that allows simulation of nonlinear spin systems in ion traps without ground state cooling, broadening experimental capabilities.

Findings

Simulation of nonlinear spin models is feasible with vibrational mode manipulation.

Cooling to the vibrational ground state is unnecessary under certain conditions.

The method enables universal two-qubit gates independent of vibrational state.

Abstract

We show how a conditional displacement of the vibrational mode of trapped ions can be used to simulate nonlinear collective and interacting spin systems including nonlinear tops and Ising models (a universal two qubit gate), independent of the vibrational state of the ion. Thus cooling to the vibrational ground state is unnecessary provided the heating rate is not too large.