Quantum simulation of Landau-Zener model dynamics supporting the Kibble-Zurek mechanism.
The Kibble-Zurek mechanism (KZM) captures the key physics of nonequilibrium dynamics in second order phase transitions, and accurately predicts the density of topological defects formed in such processes. However, the central prediction of KZM--i.e., the scaling of the density of defects with the quench rate--still needs further experimental confirmation, particularly for quantum transitions. Here, we perform a quantum simulation of the nonequilibrium dynamics of the Landau-Zener model based on a nine-stage optical interferometer with an overall visibility of 0.975±0.008. The results support the adiabatic-impulse approximation, which is the core of Kibble-Zurek theory. Moreover, the developed high-fidelity multistage optical interferometer can support more complex linear optical quantum simulations.
Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, CAS, Hefei, 230026, People's Republic of China and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Xiao-Ye
XY
Xu
Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, CAS, Hefei, 230026, People's Republic of China and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Yong-Jian
YJ
Han
Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, CAS, Hefei, 230026, People's Republic of China and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Kai
K
Sun
Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, CAS, Hefei, 230026, People's Republic of China and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Jin-Shi
JS
Xu
Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, CAS, Hefei, 230026, People's Republic of China and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Jian-Shun
JS
Tang
Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, CAS, Hefei, 230026, People's Republic of China and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Chuan-Feng
CF
Li
Key Laboratory of Quantum Information, University of Science and Technology of China, CAS, Hefei, 230026, People's Republic of China and Synergetic Innovation Center of Quantum Information and Quantum Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Guang-Can
GC
Guo