Researchers from the University of Colorado Boulder, led by Ana Maria Rey, have introduced a novel approach to simulate and control topological superconductors using photon-mediated interactions. This work, published in the journal Nature Physics, could have significant implications for the energy sector, particularly in the development of fault-tolerant quantum technologies for energy systems.
Topological superconductors are materials that could enable fault-tolerant quantum computing, a technology that could revolutionize energy management and optimization. However, creating and controlling these unconventional superconducting states has been a significant challenge. The team’s new approach uses a cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) quantum simulator to engineer competing superconducting orders by tailoring cavity-mediated couplings between atomic pseudospins.
The researchers engineered spatially inhomogeneous cavity-mediated couplings in a 2D optical lattice using incommensurate cavity-lattice wavelengths. This minimal and fully tunable platform enables controlled state preparation and continuous measurement of superconducting order parameters. The team observed phases in both equilibrium and sudden-quench settings with a single dominant pairing channel, as well as coexistence regimes with competing pairing channels.
Crucially, the implementation allows direct observation of topological transitions in and out of equilibrium. This provides a powerful route to the quantum simulation of competing topological superconducting phases that have remained elusive in solid-state and ultracold-atom systems. The ability to control and observe these phases could lead to the development of new materials and technologies for energy storage and transmission, as well as more efficient and secure energy grids.
The researchers hope that their work will pave the way for further exploration of topological superconductors and their potential applications in the energy sector. As the world continues to search for sustainable and efficient energy solutions, the development of quantum technologies could play a crucial role in meeting these challenges.
Source: Nature Physics
This article is based on research available at arXiv.