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Disorder-Free Localization and Fragmentation in a Non-Abelian Lattice Gauge Theory
Giovanni Cataldi1,2,3,4,5, Giuseppe Calajó1,2, Pietro Silvi1,2,3
1Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Padova, I-35131 Padova, Italy.
Physical Review Letters
|May 15, 2026
Summary
This study explores quantum many-body systems under non-Abelian gauge symmetry. It reveals three distinct dynamical regimes: ergodic, fragmented, and disorder-free many-body localization, with implications for quantum computing.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Condensed matter theory
- High-energy physics
Background:
- Understanding dynamic equilibration in isolated quantum systems is crucial.
- Non-Abelian gauge symmetries impose complex constraints on system dynamics.
- Lattice gauge theories provide a framework for studying such systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamical equilibration of quantum many-body systems under non-Abelian gauge-symmetry constraints.
- To map the dynamical phase diagram of a (1+1)D SU(2) lattice gauge theory.
- To identify and characterize distinct dynamical regimes.
Main Methods:
- Encoding gauge superselection sectors into static SU(2) background charges.
- Analyzing the dynamical phase diagram of the lattice gauge theory.
- Observing temporal scaling of entropy to identify localization effects.
Main Results:
- Identified three distinct dynamical regimes: ergodic, fragmented (nonthermal but delocalized), and disorder-free many-body localized.
- Demonstrated that in the localized regime, superpositions of gauge sectors preserve spatial inhomogeneities.
- Observed distinct temporal scalings of entropy in different regimes.
Conclusions:
- The non-Abelian nature of the phases is highlighted.
- The findings suggest potential experimental realizations on qudit processors.
- This work provides insights into the complex dynamics of gauge-invariant quantum systems.
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