Scalable Cold-Atom Quantum Simulator for Two-Dimensional QED

We propose a scalable analog quantum simulator for quantum electrodynamics in two spatial dimensions. The setup for the U(1) lattice gauge field theory employs interspecies spin-changing collisions in an ultracold atomic mixture trapped in an optical lattice. We engineer spatial plaquette terms for magnetic fields, thus solving a major obstacle toward experimental realizations of realistic gauge theories in higher dimensions. We apply our approach to the pure gauge theory of compact QED and discuss how the phenomenon of confinement of electric charges can be described by the quantum simulator.

Automated summary

The study introduces a scalable analog quantum simulator for quantum electrodynamics in two dimensions, using ultracold atomic mixtures in an optical lattice. By engineering spatial plaquette terms for magnetic fields, a major obstacle towards realizing realistic gauge theories in higher dimensions is solved. The phenomenon of confinement of electric charges is discussed in the context of the pure gauge theory of compact QED within this quantum simulator.