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arXiv:2606.09708 · Physical Review A

Analog quantum simulation of chiral magnetic dynamics using optical superlattices

Sabhyata Gupta, Luis Santos

cond-mat.quant-gashep-latquant-phSubmitted Jun 8, 2026• Announced Jun 9, 2026• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We propose an analog quantum simulation of chiral magnetic dynamics using ultracold atoms in an optical superlattice. The massive Schwinger model in the zero gauge coupling limit maps onto the Rice-Mele model, with the fermion mass and topological angle encoded in the superlattice parameters. We study the real-time dynamics of the vector current following two quench protocols that drive continuous chirality injection and chirality relaxation. Simulations with realistic superlattice parameters and experimental noise demonstrates clear mass dependence of the current dynamics in both protocols, robust against experimental imperfections. The vector current may be directly measurable via single-bond-resolved detection, establishing cold atom superlattices as a viable platform for probing non-equilibrium chiral phenomena.

Journal reference
Phys. Rev. A 114, 033321 , 2026
DOI
10.1103/hr8d-ttj8
Comments
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We propose an analog quantum simulation of chiral magnetic dynamics using ultracold atoms in an optical superlattice. The massive Schwinger model in the zero gauge coupling limit maps onto the Rice-Mele model, with the fermion mass and topological angle encoded in the superlattice parameters. We study the real-time dynamics of the vector current following two quench protocols that drive continuous chirality injection and chirality relaxation. Simulations with realistic superlattice parameters and experimental noise demonstrates clear mass dependence of the current dynamics in both protocols, robust against experimental imperfections. The vector current may be directly measurable via single-bond-resolved detection, establishing cold atom superlattices as a viable platform for probing non-equilibrium chiral phenomena.
A bstract In this study, we explore the real-time dynamics of the chiral magnetic effect (CME) at a finite temperature in the (1+1)-dimensional QED, the massive Schwinger model. By introducing a chiral chemical potential μ 5 through a quench process, we drive the system out of equilibrium and analyze the induced vector currents and their evolution over time. The Hamiltonian is modified to include the time-dependent chiral chemical potential, thus allowing the investigation of the CME within a quantum computing framework. We employ the quantum imaginary time evolution (QITE) algorithm to study the thermal states, and utilize the Suzuki-Trotter decomposition for the real-time evolution. This study provides insights into the quantum simulation capabilities for modeling the CME and offers a pathway for studying chiral dynamics in low-dimensional quantum field theories.
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In this study, we explore the real-time dynamics of the chiral magnetic effect (CME) at a finite temperature in the (1+1)-dimensional QED, the massive Schwinger model. By introducing a chiral chemical potential μ5μ_5μ5​ through a quench process, we drive the system out of equilibrium and analyze the induced vector currents and their evolution over time. The Hamiltonian is modified to include the time-dependent chiral chemical potential, thus allowing the investigation of the CME within a quantum computing framework. We employ the quantum imaginary time evolution (QITE) algorithm to study the thermal states, and utilize the Suzuki-Trotter decomposition for the real-time evolution. This study provides insights into the quantum simulation capabilities for modeling the CME and offers a pathway for studying chiral dynamics in low-dimensional quantum field theories.
Ultracold atoms in optical lattices provide a versatile platform for studying many-body physics in a defect-free system with tunable parameters. For the analog quantum simulation of the Fermi-Hubbard model, fermionic atoms take on the role of the valence electrons and optical lattices provide the periodic potential in place of the solid-state crystal. The dynamics in the system are described by the tunneling amplitude t between neighboring lattice sites and the interaction energy U of two particles occupying the same lattice site. With the depth of the optical lattices and an external magnetic field, both parameters can be tuned to access a wide range of regimes. Two superimposed lattices with different lattice periods form an optical superlattice, where the most common configuration is a bichromatic superlattice with lattice periods different by a factor of two. Depending on the lattice depths and the relative phase of the lattices, the bichromatic superlattice potential ranges from an array of weakly-coupled double wells to a continuous lattice potential with a staggered energy offset. We developed a calibration technique for measuring the depth of an optical lattice with local resolution. The band structure of the optical lattice is probed by modulating the lattice depth and exciting the atoms to higher bands. However, compared to resolving the band occupations in a time-of-flight measurement, we further excite the atoms to an untrapped band to deplete the optical lattice along equipotential lines where the modulation frequency is resonant with the local band transitions. From the profile of the lattice depth, we obtain the calibration factor for the power regulation, the waist of the underlying lattice beams and the position of the lattice axis. This technique combines several calibration measurements, thereby reducing the measurement time and enabling an automation of the lattice alignment. For the bichromatic superlattice we realized an active stabilization of the superlattice phase that enables long-term measurements with a precise control over the superlattice phase. The instability of the superlattice phase is a result of the different refractive indices for the two lattices in air and the optical elements along the optical path. Using environmental sensors, we monitor the temperature, the pressure, and the relative humidity to apply the expected correction to the superlattice phase. The stabilized superlattice phase enabled the investigation of Floquet-driven double wells by modulating the energy offset through the superlattice phase. We used a near-resonant driving frequency with respect to the interaction energy to enhance the pair-tunneling amplitude in doubly-occupied double wells compared to static double wells and compared to the tunneling amplitude in singly-occupied double wells.
Atomic bosons and fermions in an optical lattice can realize various condensed-matter states that support equilibrium current patterns in the presence of synthetic magnetic fields or non-Abelian gauge fields. As a route to probing such mass currents, we propose a nonequilibrium quantum quench of the Hamiltonian that dynamically converts the current patterns into experimentally measurable real-space density patterns. We illustrate how a specific such ``unidirectional'' quench of the optical lattice can be used to uncover bulk checkerboard and stripe current orders in lattice Bose superfluids and Fermi gases, as well as chiral edge currents in a quantum Hall state.
Although Weyl semimetals have been extensively studied for exploring rich topological physics, the direct observation of the celebrated chiral magnetic effect (CME) associated with the so-called dipolar chiral anomaly has long intrigued and challenged physicists, still remaining elusive in nature.Here we propose a feasible scheme for experimental implementation of ultracold atoms that may enable us to probe the CME with a pure topological current in an artificial Weyl semimetal.The paired Weyl points with the dipolar chiral anomaly emerge in the presence of the well-designed spin-orbital coupling and laser-assisted tunneling.Both of the two artificial fields are readily realizable and highly tunable via current optical techniques using ultracold atoms trapped in threedimensional optical lattices, providing a reliable way for manipulating Weyl points in the momentum-energy space.By applying a weak artificial magnetic field, the system processes an auxiliary current originated from the topology of a paired Weyl points, namely, the pure CME current.This topological current can be extracted from measuring the center-of-mass motion of ultracold atoms, which may pave the way to directly and unambiguously observe the CME in experiments.