Non-Abelian SU(2) Lattice Gauge Theories in Superconducting Circuits

Phys Rev Lett. 2015 Dec 11;115(24):240502. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.240502. Epub 2015 Dec 9.

Abstract

We propose a digital quantum simulator of non-Abelian pure-gauge models with a superconducting circuit setup. Within the framework of quantum link models, we build a minimal instance of a pure SU(2) gauge theory, using triangular plaquettes involving geometric frustration. This realization is the least demanding, in terms of quantum simulation resources, of a non-Abelian gauge dynamics. We present two superconducting architectures that can host the quantum simulation, estimating the requirements needed to run possible experiments. The proposal establishes a path to the experimental simulation of non-Abelian physics with solid-state quantum platforms.