Qubit vitrification and entanglement criticality on a quantum simulator

Area of Science:

• Quantum Information Science
• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Simulation

Background:

• Quantum systems interacting with classical environments exhibit complex phenomena.
• Quantum simulators use measurement operations to control these interactions.
• Entanglement, a key quantum property, is typically reduced by measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolution of entanglement under sequential qubit measurements in quantum simulators.
• To identify critical phenomena and distinct entanglement phases driven by environmental coupling.
• To explore the transition from ground states to spin glass phases via measurement.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a quantum simulator with up to 48 qubits.
• Preparing an entangled superposition of ground states for a classical spin model.
• Performing progressive qubit measurements to probe entanglement dynamics.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that consecutive qubit measurements can induce criticality, separating entanglement phases.
• Observed the quantum simulator transitioning through a vitrification point.
• Characterized the emergence of a spin glass phase of entanglement.

Conclusions:

• Sequential measurements in quantum simulators can drive critical phenomena.
• Coupling to a classical environment can lead to novel quantum phases, such as spin glasses.
• Findings suggest broader implications for understanding quantum-classical interactions and critical behavior.