Gauge theories are the foundation of much of modern high-energy physics, from lattice QCD simulations to effective field theories that model complex phenomenology in high-energy experiments. Despite their importance, many questions remain unanswered due to long-standing challenges faced by conventional analytic and numerical approaches. Quantum simulators offer new opportunities to study gauge theories and to address problems that are particularly difficult with traditional approaches, such as real-time dynamics.
In this talk, I will report two unexpected experimental observations in a gauge theory at high energies realized by a Rydberg quantum simulator. Following a quantum quench, we observe ballistic propagation of quasiparticles on an infinite temperature background, as well as persistent athermal short-range correlations.These effects cannot be explained by many-body scars (which were previously identified in this model), but are captured by a newly developed theoretical description based on plasma oscillations between electric field and current operators.
If time permits, I will also discuss a novel protocol for the quantum simulation of particle collisions.