Disorder-Free Localization and Fragmentation in a Non-Abelian Lattice Gauge Theory
Abstract
We investigate how isolated quantum many-body systems dynamically equilibrate under non-Abelian gauge-symmetry constraints. By encoding gauge superselection sectors into static SU(2) background charges, we map out the dynamical phase diagram of a (1+1)D SU(2) lattice gauge theory with dynamical matter. We uncover three distinct regimes: (i) an ergodic phase, (ii) a fragmented phase that is nonthermal but delocalized, and (iii) a disorder-free many-body localized regime. In the latter, a superposition of gauge superselection sectors preserves spatial matter inhomogeneities in time, as evidenced by distinct temporal scalings of entropy. We highlight the non-Abelian nature of these phases and argue for potential realizations on qudit processors.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Quantum many-body systems
Topological Materials and Phenomena
Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Physical Review Letters
- Publisher
- American Physical Society (APS)
- Volume
- 136
- Issue
- 17
- Pages
- 170401–170401
- Publication date
- 17 March 2026
- Language
- EN