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Implementing a topological quantum model using a cavity lattice

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Abstract

Kitaev model has both Abelian and non-Abelian anyonic excitations. It can act as a starting point for topological quantum computation. However, this model Hamiltonian is difficult to implement in natural condensed matter systems. Here we propose a quantum simulation scheme by constructing the Kitaev model Hamiltonian in a lattice of coupled cavities with embedded Λ-type three-level atoms. In this scheme, several parameters are tunable, for example, via external laser fields. Importantly, our scheme is based on currently existing technologies and it provides a feasible way of realizing the Kitaev model to explore topological excitations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China

    ZeLiang Xiang & JianQiang You

  2. Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Photonic Structures (Ministry of Education), Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China

    ZeLiang Xiang

  3. Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey, 07030-5991, USA

    Ting Yu

  4. Department of Physics, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China

    WenXian Zhang

  5. Department of Physics, University at Buffalo-SUNY, Buffalo, New York, 14260-1500, USA

    XueDong Hu

  6. Beijing Computational Science Research Center, Beijing, 100084, China

    JianQiang You

Authors
  1. ZeLiang Xiang
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  2. Ting Yu
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  3. WenXian Zhang
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  4. XueDong Hu
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  5. JianQiang You
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Correspondence to JianQiang You.

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Xiang, Z., Yu, T., Zhang, W. et al. Implementing a topological quantum model using a cavity lattice. Sci. China Phys. Mech. Astron. 55, 1549–1556 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11433-012-4864-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11433-012-4864-9

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