2013/12/31 by E. Rico, T. Pichler, M. Dalmonte +2 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.quant-gas #hep-lat #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.112.201601
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 201601 (2014) · 9 pages, 9 figures. Published version
arxiv created 2014/06/07 · arxiv updated 2014/06/10
We show that gauge invariant quantum link models, Abelian and non-Abelian, can be exactly described in terms of tensor networks states. Quantum link models represent an ideal bridge between high-energy to cold atom physics, as they can be used in cold-atoms in optical lattices to study lattice gauge theories. In this framework, we characterize the phase diagram of a (1+1)-d quantum link version of the Schwinger model in an external classical background electric field: the quantum phase transition from a charge and parity ordered phase with non-zero electric flux to a disordered one with a net zero electric flux configuration is described by the Ising universality class.