Experimental quantum simulation of fermion-antifermion scattering via boson exchange in a trapped ion

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02507-y
• Publication Date: 2018-01-09T14:35:59Z
• Authors: Xiang Zhang; Kuan Zhang; Yangchao Shen; Shuaining Zhang; Jing-Ning Zhang; Man-Hong Yung; Jorge Casanova; Julen S. Pedernales; Lucas Lamata; Enrique Solano; Kihwan Kim
• Keywords: Annihilation; Realization (probability)

Abstract Quantum field theories describe a variety of fundamental phenomena in physics. However, their study often involves cumbersome numerical simulations. simulators, on the other hand, may outperform classical computational capacities due to potential scalability. Here we report an experimental realization quantum simulation fermion–antifermion scattering mediated by bosonic modes, using multilevel trapped ion, which is simplified model fermion both perturbative and non-perturbative electrodynamics. The simulated exhibits prototypical features theory including particle pair creation annihilation, as well self-energy interactions. These are experimentally observed manipulating four internal levels 171 Yb + where encode fermionic two motional degrees freedom that simulate modes. Our experiment establishes avenue towards efficient implementation prove useful studies regimes.