Rydberg atom arrays as quantum simulators for molecular dynamics
Abstract
Rydberg atoms held in optical tweezer arrays combine vibrational and electronic degrees of freedom which can be coupled and manipulated at a microscopic level. This opens opportunities for the quantum simulation of artificial molecular systems and offers in particular a platform for probing complex vibronic dynamics in controlled settings with increasing complexity. Tailored interatomic interactions and electron-phonon couplings yield handles for designing electronic state manifolds, for studying structural transitions, and for exploring non-classical vibrational states near molecular instabilities. Furthermore, this quantum simulator opens opportunities for testing and quantifying the validity of fundamental concepts, such as the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and quantum corrections to it.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2506.09865,
title = {Rydberg atom arrays as quantum simulators for molecular dynamics},
author = {Simon Euchner and Igor Lesanovsky},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.09865},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
13 pages, 3 figures