Nematic Confined Phases in the $U(1)$ Quantum Link Model on a Triangular Lattice: An Opportunity for Near-Term Quantum Computations of String Dynamics on a Chip

Abstract

The $U(1)$ quantum link model on the triangular lattice has two rotation-symmetry-breaking nematic confined phases. Static external charges are connected by confining strings consisting of individual strands with fractionalized electric flux. The two phases are separated by a weak first order phase transition with an emergent almost exact $SO(2)$ symmetry. We construct a quantum circuit on a chip to facilitate near-term quantum computations of the non-trivial string dynamics.

Comments: 5 pages, 5 figures