Quantum Spin Ice and dimer models with Rydberg atoms

Understand

Quantum spin ice represents a paradigmatic example on how the physics of frustrated magnets is related to gauge theories.

• In the present work we address the problem of approximately realizing quantum spin ice in two dimensions with cold atoms in optical lattices.
• The relevant interactions are obtained by weakly admixing van der Waals interactions between laser admixed Rydberg states to the atomic ground state atoms, exploiting the strong angular dependence of interactions between Rydberg p-states together with the possibility of designing step-like potentials.
• This allows us to implement Abelian gauge theories in a series of geometries, which could be demonstrated within state of the art atomic Rydberg experiments.