Project Details
Projekt
Topological phases in long-range interacting spin systems
Applicant
Professorin Dr. Beatriz Olmos Sanchez
Subject Area
Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
Term
since 2026
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 465199066
Our project investigates one of the central open questions in modern physics: how topological phases of matter behave when interactions extend over long distances. Topological phases are remarkable states of matter whose properties are protected against local disturbances. The question of how these phases are modified in the presence of long-range interactions is fascinating by its own right and demands new theoretical approaches. Additionally, many current quantum simulation platforms such as arrays of highly excited Rydberg atoms, trapped ions, and superconducting qubits, naturally feature long-range couplings that decay slowly with distance, which may allow for the in-situ exploration of these new topological phases. The first goal of this proposal is to establish a fundamental understanding of how long-range interactions shape the emergence and stability of topological quasiparticles, such as Majorana modes or collective spin excitations. By developing analytical mappings and large-scale numerical simulations, we will clarify whether familiar concepts like bulk-boundary correspondence still apply, or whether new forms of topology appear. We will also aim to identify how such phases can be probed or characterized dynamically. We will therefore study the spreading of correlations, entanglement growth, and information transfer, searching for robust dynamical fingerprints of long-range topology. In addition, we will explore how periodic driving (Floquet engineering) and dissipation influence these phases. While driving can create entirely new topological matter, dissipation is often seen as a nuisance. Here, we will investigate their interplay with long-range couplings, asking whether they can stabilise exotic modes or lead to unexpected dynamical behavior. Finally, we will connect these theoretical insights to experiments. By proposing concrete detection schemes, for example, through spin-resolved transport or photon emission in Rydberg atom arrays, we will translate fundamental discoveries into protocols accessible to current quantum simulators. In summary, the project will aim to answer the fundamental question of how long-range interactions may reshape topology, and will develop experimental pathways to observe and exploit these effects in the highly controllable quantum platforms available today.
DFG Programme
Research Units
