Reliability of lattice gauge theories in the thermodynamic limit

Maarten Van Damme, Haifeng Lang, Philipp Hauke, and Jad C. Halimeh
Phys. Rev. B 107, 035153 – Published 30 January 2023

Abstract

Although gauge invariance is a postulate in fundamental theories of nature such as quantum electrodynamics, in quantum-simulation implementations of gauge theories it is compromised by experimental imperfections. In a recent paper [Halimeh and Hauke, Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 030503 (2020)], it has been shown in finite-size spin-1/2 quantum link lattice gauge theories that upon introducing an energy-penalty term of sufficiently large strength V, unitary gauge-breaking errors at strength λ are suppressed λ2/V2 up to all accessible evolution times. Here, we show numerically that this result extends to quantum link models in the thermodynamic limit and with larger spin S. As we show analytically, the dynamics at short times is described by an adjusted gauge theory up to a timescale that is at earliest τadjV/V03, with V0 an energy factor. Moreover, our analytics predicts that a renormalized gauge theory dominates at intermediate times up to a timescale τrenexp(V/V0)/V0. In both emergent gauge theories, V is volume independent and scales at worst S2. Furthermore, we numerically demonstrate that robust gauge invariance is also retained through a single-body gauge-protection term, which is experimentally straightforward to implement in ultracold-atom setups and NISQ devices.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
8 More
  • Received 4 July 2021
  • Revised 30 October 2022
  • Accepted 23 January 2023

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.107.035153

©2023 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied PhysicsAtomic, Molecular & OpticalStatistical Physics & Thermodynamics

Authors & Affiliations

Maarten Van Damme1, Haifeng Lang2,3, Philipp Hauke2, and Jad C. Halimeh2

  • 1Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Ghent, Krijgslaan 281, 9000 Gent, Belgium
  • 2INO-CNR BEC Center and Department of Physics, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 14, I-38123 Trento, Italy
  • 3Theoretical Chemistry, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 107, Iss. 3 — 15 January 2023

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×