Trapped-ion quantum simulators have demonstrated a long history of studying the physics of interacting spin-lattice systems using globally addressed entangling operations. Here, we seek to broaden and delimit the classes of effective spin-spin interactions achievable using exclusively global driving fields. We find that new categories of interaction graphs become achievable with perfect or near-perfect theoretical fidelity by tailoring the coupling to each vibrational mode of the ion crystal, or by shaping the trapping potential to include specific anharmonic terms. We also derive a rigorous test to determine whether a desired interaction graph is accessible using only globally driven fields. These tools broaden the reach of trapped-ion quantum simulators so that they may more easily address open questions in materials science and quantum chemistry.
@article{arxiv.2310.07859,
title = {Interaction graph engineering in trapped-ion quantum simulators with global drives},
author = {Antonis Kyprianidis and A. J. Rasmusson and Philip Richerme},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2310.07859},
year = {2024}
}