We introduce a framework of constructing topological subsystem codes based on the class of anticommuting quantum spin liquids described in [Phys. Rev. B 113, 064402 (2026)]. A canonical model from this class can be considered as a spatial modification of the toric code that voids its stabilizer code property. Rather, these models contain an extensive set of anticommuting local conserved operators that lead to an extensive ground state degeneracy. This degeneracy forms the basis of the subsystem degrees of freedom in the associated quantum error correcting code. The code inherits the many-body topological order of the quantum spin liquid, making it a topological subsystem code. We present two concrete and detailed examples for constructing these codes on a square lattice and a kagome lattice geometry, requiring weight-4 and weight-3 local check operator measurements respectively. In contrast to other subsystem codes, a unique property of these codes is the presence of an extensive number of local gauge qubits that are left undisturbed by the check operators apart from the logical qubits. Our construction provides a template for generating this new category of topological subsystem codes on different lattice or graph geometries, suitable for implementation on various quantum hardware platforms.
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14 pages, 9 figures ; Comments and suggestions are welcome
We introduce a framework of constructing topological subsystem codes based on the class of anticommuting quantum spin liquids described in [Phys. Rev. B 113, 064402 (2026)]. A canonical model from this class can be considered as a spatial modification of the toric code that voids its stabilizer code property. Rather, these models contain an extensive set of anticommuting local conserved operators that lead to an extensive ground state degeneracy. This degeneracy forms the basis of the subsystem degrees of freedom in the associated quantum error correcting code. The code inherits the many-body topological order of the quantum spin liquid, making it a topological subsystem code. We present two concrete and detailed examples for constructing these codes on a square lattice and a kagome lattice geometry, requiring weight-4 and weight-3 local check operator measurements respectively. In contrast to other subsystem codes, a unique property of these codes is the presence of an extensive number of local gauge qubits that are left undisturbed by the check operators apart from the logical qubits. Our construction provides a template for generating this new category of topological subsystem codes on different lattice or graph geometries, suitable for implementation on various quantum hardware platforms.
We discuss a class of lattice S = 1 2 quantum Hamiltonians with bond-dependent Ising couplings and a mutually “anticommuting” algebra of extensively many local Z 2 conserved charges that was explicated by Pujari []. This mutual algebra is reminiscent of the spin- 1 2 Pauli matrix algebra but encoded in the structure of . These models have finite residual entropy density in the ground state with a simple but nontrivial degeneracy counting and concomitant quantum spin liquidity as proved by Pujari []. The spin liquidity relies on a geometrically site-interlinked character of the local conserved Z 2 charges that is rather natural in the presence of an anticommuting structure. One may contrast this with, for example, the bond-interlinked character of the local conserved Z 2 charges on the hexagonal plaquettes of the Kitaev honeycomb spin- 1 2 model, which leads to a mutually commuting local algebra. In this work, we make several exact statements on the kinds of many-body orders that can be present within the class of anticommuting quantum spin liquids coexisting with extensive residual ground state entropy. We elucidate the differences between the many-body order in these models and that found in some gapped quantum spin liquids whose canonical example is the Kitaev toric code. The toric code belongs to the more general class of Levin-Wen or string net constructions that possess mutually commuting algebras for the local conserved charges. We also point out a mutually commuting algebra with local support that is naturally expressed as multilinear Majorana forms in the Kitaev representation of these quantum spin liquids. They capture quantum resonances spread across the lattice in anticommuting Z 2 quantum spin liquids.
We discuss a class of lattice S = 12 quantum Hamiltonians with bond-dependent Ising couplings and a mutually "anticommuting" algebra of extensively many local Z2 conserved charges that was explicated by Pujari [arXiv:2407.06236]. This mutual algebra is reminiscent of the spin-1 2 Pauli matrix algebra but encoded in the structure of local conserved charges. These models have finite residual entropy density in the ground state with a simple but nontrivial degeneracy counting and concomitant quantum spin liquidity as proved by Pujari [arXiv:2407.06236]. The spin liquidity relies on a geometrically site-interlinked character of the local conserved Z2 charges that is rather natural in the presence of an anticommuting structure. One may contrast this with, for example, the bond-interlinked character of the local conserved Z2 charges on the hexagonal plaquettes of the Kitaev honeycomb spin-21 model, which leads to a mutually commuting local algebra. In this work, we make several exact statements on the kinds of many-body orders that can be present within the class of anticommuting quantum spin liquids coexisting with extensive residual ground state entropy. We elucidate the differences between the many-body order in these models and that found in some gapped quantum spin liquids whose canonical example is the Kitaev toric code. The toric code belongs to the more general class of Levin-Wen or string net constructions that possess mutually commuting algebras for the local conserved charges. We also point out a mutually commuting algebra with local support that is naturally expressed as multilinear Majorana forms in the Kitaev representation of these quantum spin liquids. They capture quantum resonances spread across the lattice in anticommuting Z2 quantum spin liquids.
Subsystem quantum error-correcting codes typically involve measuring a sequence of noncommuting parity check operators. They can sometimes exhibit greater fault tolerance than conventional codes, which use commuting checks. However, unlike subspace codes, it is unclear if subsystem codes—in particular their advantages—can be understood in terms of ground-state properties of a physical Hamiltonian. In this paper, we address this question for the three-dimensional subsystem toric code (3D STC), as recently constructed by Kubica and Vasmer [], which exhibits single-shot error correction. Motivated by a conjectured relation between single-shot properties and thermal stability, we study the zero- and finite-temperature phases of an associated noncommuting Hamiltonian. By mapping the Hamiltonian model to a pair of 3D Z 2 gauge theories coupled by a kinetic constraint, we find various phases at zero temperature, all separated by first-order transitions: There are 3D toric code-like phases with deconfined point-like excitations in the bulk, and there are phases with a confined bulk supporting a 2D toric code on the surface when appropriate boundary conditions are chosen. The latter is similar to the surface topological order present in 3D STC. However, the similarities between the single-shot correction in 3D STC and the confined phases are only partial: they share the same sets of degrees of freedom, but they are governed by different dynamical rules. Instead, we argue that the process of single-shot error correction can more suitably be associated with a path (rather than a point) in the zero-temperature phase diagram, a perspective, which inspires alternative measurement sequences enabling single-shot error correction. Moreover, since none of the above-mentioned phases survives at nonzero temperature, the single-shot error-correction property of the code does not imply thermal stability of the associated Hamiltonian phase. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
An exactly solvable model of a quantum spin liquid on a quasicrystal, akin to Kitaev's honeycomb model, was introduced in Kim \textit{et al.}, \href{https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.110.214438}{\text{Phys. Rev. B} \textbf{110}, 214438 (2024)}. It was shown that in contrast to the translationally invariant models, such a spin liquid stabilizes a gapped ground state with a finite irrational flux density. In this work, we analyze the strong bond-anisotropic limit of the model and demonstrate that the aperiodic lattice geometry naturally generates a hierarchy of exponentially separated coupling constants in the resulting toric code Hamiltonian. Furthermore, a perturbative magnetic field leads to anomalous localization properties where an anyonic excitation sequentially delocalizes over subsets of sites forming equipotential contours in the quasicrystal. In addition, certain background flux configurations, together with the underlying geometry, give rise to strictly localized eigenstates that remain decoupled from the rest of the spectrum. Using numerical studies, we uncover the key mechanisms responsible for this unconventional localization behavior. Our study highlights that topologically ordered phases, in the presence of geometrical constraints can lead to highly anomalous localization properties of fractionalized charges.
Topological subsystem codes in three spatial dimensions allow for quantum error correction with no time overhead, even in the presence of measurement noise. The physical origins of this single-shot property remain elusive, in part due to the scarcity of known models. To address this challenge, we provide a systematic construction of a class of topological subsystem codes in three dimensions built from Abelian quantum double models in one fewer dimension. Our construction not only generalizes the recently introduced subsystem toric code [Kubica and Vasmer, Nat. Commun. , 6272 (2022)] but also provides a new perspective on several aspects of the original model, including the origin of the Gauss law for gauge flux, and boundary conditions for the code family. We then numerically study the performance of the first few codes in this class against phenomenological noise to verify their single-shot property. Lastly, we discuss Hamiltonians naturally associated with these codes, and argue that they may be gapless. Published by the American Physical Society 2024
Quantum phases with topological order, such as quantum spin liquids, have been the focus of explorations for several decades. Such phases feature a number of remarkable properties including long-range quantum entanglement. Moreover, they can be potentially exploited for the realization of robust quantum computation, as exemplified by the paradigmatic toric code model. While some indications that such phases may be present in frustrated condensed matter systems have been previously reported, so far quantum spin liquids have eluded direct experimental detection. In this talk, I will show how a programmable quantum simulator based on Rydberg atom arrays can be used to realize and probe quantum spin liquid states. In our approach, atoms are placed on the links of a kagome lattice and coherent evolution under Rydberg blockade enables the transition into frustrated quantum states with no local order. We detect the onset of a quantum spin liquid phase of the toric code type by measuring topological string operators in two complementary bases. The properties of this state are further revealed using a lattice with non-trivial topology, representing a step towards the realization of a topological qubit. Our observations open the door to the controlled experimental exploration of topological quantum matter, and could enable the investigation of new methods for topologically protected quantum information processing.