Description:

Title: Strongly-correlated quantum matter with superconducting circuits

Speaker: Alex Ruichao Ma, University of Chicago

Abstract:

Superconducting circuits have emerged as a competitive platform for quantum computation, satisfying the challenges of controllability, long coherence and strong interactions between individual systems. Here we apply this toolbox to the exploration of strongly correlated quantum matter, building a Bose-Hubbard lattice for photons in the strongly interacting regime [1]. We develop a versatile recipe for dissipative preparation of incompressible many-body phases through reservoir engineering, applied in our system to realize the first Mott insulator of photons. Site- and time-resolved readout of the lattice allows us to investigate the microscopic details of the thermalization process through the dynamics of defect propagation and removal in the Mott phase. Our results demonstrate the power of superconducting circuits for studying strongly correlated matter in both coherent and engineered dissipative settings. I will also briefly discuss our recent work on superconducting microwave Chern insulators [2], and prospects for integrating these ideas to enable exploration of elusive topologically ordered phases of matter.

[1] R. Ma, et al., “A dissipatively stabilized Mott insulator of photons”, arXiv:1807.11342.
[2] C. Owens, et al., “Quarter-flux Hofstadter lattice in a qubit-compatible microwave cavity array”, PRA 97, 013818.