Floquet Hamiltonian engineering of an isolated many-body spin system

Controlling interactions is the key element for the quantum engineering of many-body systems. Using time-periodic driving, a naturally given many-body Hamiltonian of a closed quantum system can be transformed into an effective target Hamiltonian that exhibits vastly different dynamics. We demonstrate such Floquet engineering with a system of spins represented by Rydberg states in an ultracold atomic gas. By applying a sequence of spin manipulations, we change the symmetry properties of the effective Heisenberg XYZ Hamiltonian. As a consequence, the relaxation behavior of the total spin is drastically modified. The observed dynamics can be qualitatively captured by a semiclassical simulation. Engineering a wide range of Hamiltonians opens vast opportunities for implementing quantum simulation of nonequilibrium dynamics in a single experimental setting.

Automated summary

Controlling interactions is crucial in quantum engineering of many-body systems. By applying time-periodic driving, a natural many-body Hamiltonian can be transformed into an effective target Hamiltonian with different dynamics. Demonstration in an experimental setting shows modification of relaxation behavior of total spin by changing symmetry properties of the effective Hamiltonian through spin manipulations.