Directly observing replica symmetry breaking in a vector quantum-optical spin glass

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Kroeze, Ronen M.; Marsh, Brendan P.; Atri Schuller, David; Hunt, Henry S.; Bourzutschky, Alexander N.; Winer, Michael; Gopalakrishnan, Sarang; Keeling, Jonathan; Lev, Benjamin L.
• 署名单位: Stanford University; Stanford University; Stanford University; University System of Maryland; University of Maryland College Park; Princeton University; University of St Andrews
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-11735
• DOI: 10.1126/science.adu7710
• 发表日期: 2025-09-11
• 页码: 1122-1126
• 关键词: range interactions; simulation; TRANSITION; models

摘要

Spin glasses are quintessential examples of complex matter. Although their ordering lacks complete theoretical understanding, abstract models of spin glasses inform problems in other fields, such as combinatorial optimization and artificial intelligence-where they form a mathematical basis for neural network computing. We demonstrate the ability to realize a spin glass of a distinct driven-dissipative and vector form. By microscopically visualizing its glassy spin states, the technique allows us to directly measure replica symmetry breaking and the resulting ultrametric hierarchical structure. Ultrametricity is known to be emergent in models of evolution, protein folding, and climate change; this work shows it to be directly observable in a physically realized system.