Recent progress on the Rydberg array platform

Thierry Lahaye

Yannick Meurice, James Corona, Sergio Cantu +6 more

We review recent suggestions to quantum simulate scalar electrodynamics (the lattice Abelian Higgs model) in 1+1 dimensions with rectangular arrays of Rydberg atoms. We show that platforms made publicly available recently allow empirical explorations of the critical behavior of quantum simulators. We discuss recent progress regarding the phase diagram of two-leg ladders, effective Hamiltonian approaches and the construction of hybrid quantum algorithms targeting hadronization in collider physics event generators.

Jacopo De Santis, Balázs Dura-Kovács, Mehmet Öncü +3 more

Minhyuk Kim

Programmable quantum simulators based on Rydberg atom arrays provide a versatile platform for data-driven quantum simulation of strongly correlated systems, combinatorial optimization problems, and artificial quantum materials. In this review, we present a unified perspective on how materials-inspired effective Hamiltonians can be engineered and probed in Rydberg arrays, highlighting representative phenomena such as quantum phase transitions, frustrated spin-liquid-like states, symmetry-protected topological phases, and nonequilibrium dynamics. We further discuss recent progress in machine learning-based approaches, including phase identification from experimental snapshots, neural network quantum states, Hamiltonian learning, and quantum reservoir computing. A central theme is the emergence of closed-loop classical-quantum hybrid workflows, in which quantum simulation, measurement, and classical inference are integrated through iterative feedback. These developments position Rydberg atom arrays not only as programmable simulators but also as data-driven platforms for the scalable exploration, characterization, and design of complex quantum materials.

Thierry Lahaye

Thierry Lahaye, Daniel Barredo

Over the last years, a new platform for quantum technologies has emerged. It is based on arrays of single atoms arranged with almost arbitrary geometries, and made to interact by exciting them to Rydberg states. Compared with other platforms, such as trapped ions or superconducting qubits, atom arrays are quite competitive for applications such as quantum simulation of magnetism. We describe the experimental methods used in this field, and illustrate recent applications.