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arXiv:2602.13796

Non-Abelian Aharonov-Bohm Caging in Synthetic Dimensions with a Trapped Ion

Wanchao Yao, Sai Li, Zhiyuan Liu, Yi Li, Zihan Xie, Xingyu Zhao, Xu Cheng, Yue Li, Zheng-Yuan Xue, Yiheng Lin

quant-phSubmitted Feb 14, 2026• Announced Feb 17, 2026• 0 citations
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Abstract

Aharonov-Bohm (AB) caging is a complete localization phenomenon in two-dimensional lattices due to destructive interference induced by the background gauge fields. However, current investigations of AB caging are mostly restricted to the Abelian gauge field case, and the observation of AB caging under non-Abelian gauge fields in a quantum system still remains elusive. Here, we report experimental realization of tunable synthetic non-Abelian SU(2) gauge fields in a rhombic lattice, engineered within the synthetic dimensions of a vibrating trapped ion with multiple levels. We realize AB caging under both Abelian and non-Abelian gauge fields and systematically investigate the distinctive transport properties of the non-Abelian case. In particular, we observe typical emergent quantum dynamics unique to non-Abelian AB caging, including initial-state-dependent dynamics, second-order effects, and asymmetric caging behavior. These observations demonstrate the trapped ion system as a powerful platform for simulating emergent phenomena in high-dimensional quantum systems with exotic synthetic gauge fields.

Comments
11 pages, 7 figures

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Aharonov-Bohm (AB) caging is a complete localization phenomenon in two-dimensional lattices due to destructive interference induced by the background gauge fields. However, current investigations of AB caging are mostly restricted to the Abelian gauge field case, and the observation of AB caging under non-Abelian gauge fields in a quantum system still remains elusive. Here, we report experimental realization of tunable synthetic non-Abelian SU(2) gauge fields in a rhombic lattice, engineered within the synthetic dimensions of a vibrating trapped ion with multiple levels. We realize AB caging under both Abelian and non-Abelian gauge fields and systematically investigate the distinctive transport properties of the non-Abelian case. In particular, we observe typical emergent quantum dynamics unique to non-Abelian AB caging, including initial-state-dependent dynamics, second-order effects, and asymmetric caging behavior. These observations demonstrate the trapped ion system as a powerful platform for simulating emergent phenomena in high-dimensional quantum systems with exotic synthetic gauge fields.
Abstract In the lattice system, when the synthetic flux reaches a π phase along a closed loop under the synthetic gauge field, destructive interference occurs and gives rise to the localization phenomenon. This is known as the Aharonov–Bohm (AB) caging effect. It provides a powerful tool for the study of quantum transport and dynamical effects. In the system where lattice sites possess internal structure and the underlying gauge field is non-Abelian, localization can also occur, forming the non-Abelian AB caging. Here, we propose an experimental scheme to synthesize non-Abelian gauge fields with a single trapped ion by coupling multiple internal levels and Fock states in its motion via laser fields. In contrast to the Abelian AB caging, we numerically observe that the non-Abelian AB caging occurs either when the interference matrix is nilpotent, or when the initial state is specifically set. Our experimental scheme broadens the study of localization phenomena and provides a novel tool for the study of non-Abelian physics.
Aharonov-Bohm (AB) caging, a special flat-band localization mechanism, has spurred great interest in different areas of physics. AB caging can be harnessed to explore the rich and exotic physics of quantum transport in flatband systems, where geometric frustration, disorder, and correlations act in a synergetic and distinct way than that in ordinary dispersive band systems. In contrast to the ordinary Anderson localization, where disorder induces localization and prevents transport, in flat band systems disorder can induce mobility, a phenomenon dubbed inverse Anderson transition. Here, we report on the experimental realization of the AB cage using a synthetic lattice in the momentum space of ultracold atoms with tailored gauge fields, and demonstrate the geometric localization due to the flat band and the inverse Anderson transition when correlated binary disorder is added to the system. Our experimental platform in a many-body environment provides a fascinating quantum simulator where the interplay between engineered gauge fields, localization, and topological properties of flat band systems can be finely explored.
Aharonov-Bohm (AB) caging is the complete wavefunction localization effect in translational-invariant lattices induced by destructive phase interference. These phases originate from the gauge fields such as the penetrated magnetic fields, which are directly related to several novel topological quantum states of matter. Recently, this effect has shown significant potential for applications in quantum simulation and topological quantum computation. Here, we propose a scalable protocol to derive universal conditions for AB caging with multi-flux. The numerical simulations validate the theoretical predictions by directly observing AB caging phenomena. We also investigate the breakage of the caging effect with onsite detuning, decoherence and non-Hermitian transitions. Our protocol provides an alternative approach for advancing quantum simulation of exotic states of matter.
Flat bands in condensed matter systems can host emergent states of matter, from insulating states in twisted bilayer graphene to fractionalized excitations in frustrated magnets and quantum Hall materials. A key phenomenon in certain flat-band systems is Aharonov-Bohm caging, where particles become localized due to destructive interference caused by gauge fields. Here we report on the experimental realization of highly tunable flat-band models populated by strongly interacting Rydberg atoms. By employing synthetic dimensions, we engineer a flat-band rhombic lattice with twisted boundaries and explore the control of Aharonov-Bohm caging during non-equilibrium dynamics through a tunable gauge field. Microscopic measurements of Rydberg pairs reveal the interaction-driven breakdown of Aharonov-Bohm caging in the limit of strong dipolar interactions, where lattice bands mix. In the limit of weak interactions, where caging persists, we observe effective magnetism arising from the interaction-driven mixing of degenerate flat-band states. These observations offer insights into emergent phenomena in synthetic quantum materials and expand our understanding of quantum many-body physics in engineered lattice systems.
Aharonov–Bohm interference in a Z2{\pmb{\mathbb{Z}}}_{\bf{2}}Z2​ lattice gauge theory on a hybrid qubit–oscillator quantum computer
Abstract Lattice gauge theories, which have both dynamical matter and gauge fields, are strongly coupled problems that lie beyond the reach of classical computation. Quantum simulations may provide a tractable approach for studying lattice gauge theories, but implementing gauge-invariant encodings and real-time evolution remains experimentally challenging. Here we demonstrate a resource-efficient encoding of a Z2{{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}Z2​ Z 2 lattice gauge theory using a hybrid qubit–oscillator trapped-ion quantum device, with the qubits representing the gauge fields and the vibrational modes of the ions encoding the bosonic matter fields. We use synthetic dimensions to construct higher dimensional lattice geometries, and we combine digital and analogue techniques to prepare the initial states, realize the gauge-invariant real-time evolution and measure the relevant observables. After observing dynamics obeying Gauss’s law in a Z2{{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}Z2​ Z 2 link, we extend this approach to a loop geometry formed by two qubits and two oscillators. In this quasi-two-dimensional set-up, we observe Aharonov–Bohm interference with dynamical gauge fields encoding the magnetic flux, thereby demonstrating the interplay between charge and flux. Our results establish a path for scalable quantum simulations of lattice gauge theories in higher dimensions.
Fock-state lattices, composed of photon number states with infinite Hilbert space, have emerged as a promising platform for simulating high-dimensional physics due to their potential to extend into arbitrarily high dimensions. Here, we demonstrate the construction of multidimensional Fock-state lattices using superconducting quantum circuits. By controlling artificial gauge fields within their internal structures, we investigate flux-induced extreme localization dynamics, such as Aharonov-Bohm caging, extending from 2D to 3D. We also explore the coherent interference of quantum superposition states, achieving extreme localization within specific subspaces assisted by quantum entanglement. Our findings pave the way for manipulating the behavior of a broad class of quantum states in higher-dimensional systems.