Quantum spin dynamics with pairwise-tunable, long-range interactions

Abstract

We present a platform for the simulation of quantum magnetism with full control of interactions between pairs of spins at arbitrary distances in 1D and 2D lattices. In our scheme, two internal atomic states represent a pseudospin for atoms trapped within a photonic crystal waveguide (PCW). With the atomic transition frequency aligned inside a band gap of the PCW, virtual photons mediate coherent spin–spin interactions between lattice sites. To obtain full control of interaction coefficients at arbitrary atom–atom separations, ground-state energy shifts are introduced as a function of distance across the PCW. In conjunction with auxiliary pump fields, spin-exchange versus atom–atom separation can be engineered with arbitrary magnitude and phase, and arranged to introduce nontrivial Berry phases in the spin lattice, thus opening new avenues for realizing topological spin models. We illustrate the broad applicability of our scheme by explicit construction for several well-known spin models.