Dissipation-induced antiferromagneticlike frustration in coupled photonic resonators

We propose a photonic quantum simulator for antiferromagnetic spin systems based on reservoir engineering. We consider a scheme where quadratically driven dissipative Kerr cavities are indirectly coupled via lossy ancillary cavities. We show that the ancillary cavities can produce an effective dissipative and Hamiltonian antiferromagneticlike coupling between the cavities. By solving the master equation for a triangular cavity configuration, we demonstrate that the nonequilibrium steady state of the system bears full analogy with the ground state of an antiferromagnetic Ising model, exhibiting key signatures of frustration. We show that when the effective photon hopping amplitude is zero, the engineered nonlocal dissipation alone is capable of inducing antiferromagnetic interaction and frustration. This scheme applies to more general lattice geometries, providing a simple recipe for simulating antiferromagnetism and frustration on a controlled quantum optical platform.

Automated summary

The study introduces a photonic quantum simulator for antiferromagnetic spin systems based on reservoir engineering, which allows for simulating antiferromagnetism and frustration on a controlled quantum optical platform. By indirectly coupling quadratically driven dissipative Kerr cavities via lossy ancillary cavities, an effective dissipative and Hamiltonian antiferromagneticlike coupling between the cavities is achieved. The non-equilibrium steady state of the system shows similarities with the ground state of an antiferromagnetic Ising model, indicating key features of frustration.