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Algebraic law of local correlations in a driven Rydberg atomic system

by Xin Wang, XiaoFeng Wu, Bo Yang, Bo Zhang and Bo Xiong

Submission summary

Authors (as registered SciPost users): Xin Wang · Bo Xiong
Submission information
Preprint Link: scipost_202507_00028v2  (pdf)
Date accepted: Nov. 18, 2025
Date submitted: Oct. 27, 2025, 11:27 a.m.
Submitted by: Bo Xiong
Submitted to: SciPost Physics
Ontological classification
Academic field: Physics
Specialties:
  • Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics - Theory
  • Condensed Matter Physics - Theory
  • Quantum Physics
Approaches: Theoretical, Computational

Abstract

Understanding the mechanism behind the buildup of inner correlations is crucial for studying nonequilibrium dynamics in complex, strongly interacting many-body systems. Here we investigate both analytically and numerically the buildup of antiferromagnetic (AF) correlations in a dynamically tuned Ising model with various geometries, realized in a Rydberg atomic system. Through second-order Magnus expansion (ME), we demonstrate quantitative agreement with numerical simulations for diverse configurations including $2 \times n$ lattice and cyclic lattice with a star. We find that the AF correlation magnitude at fixed Manhattan distance obeys a universal superposition principle: It corresponds to the algebraic sum of contributions from all shortest paths. This superposition law remains robust against variations in path equivalence, lattice geometries, and quench protocols, establishing a new paradigm for correlation propagation in quantum simulators.

Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations

  • Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
  • Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
  • Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
  • Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block
Current status:
Accepted in target Journal

Editorial decision: For Journal SciPost Physics: Publish
(status: Editorial decision fixed and (if required) accepted by authors)


Reports on this Submission

Report #2 by Anonymous (Referee 1) on 2025-11-5 (Invited Report)

Report

The authors have addressed the concerns raised, mainly the Magnus expansion. I agree with the authors that their work opens a new clear multipronged approach for future work - in particular their quite general result of a universal superposition principle of an algebraic sum of contributions from shortest paths. Hence, I now strongly recommend publication.

Recommendation

Publish (easily meets expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 50%)

  • validity: -
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Report #1 by Anonymous (Referee 2) on 2025-10-27 (Invited Report)

Report

The authors have taken care of all the issues raised in the previous report. In particular their analysis of the radius of convergence of the ME is satisfactory; the validity of their results is argued in a convincing manner. In view of this and the fact that the paper addresses an important issue in an experimentally realizable ultracold atom platform, I think I can recommend publication in Scipost Phys.

Recommendation

Publish (easily meets expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 50%)

  • validity: -
  • significance: -
  • originality: -
  • clarity: -
  • formatting: -
  • grammar: -

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