A topological quantum number, the Witten index, characterizes supersymmetric models by probing for zero energy modes and the possibility of supersymmetry breaking. We propose an averaging method to infer the Witten index in quantum analog simulators. Motivated by recent work on Rydberg atoms trapped in optical tweezer arrays, we consider a related supersymmetric XXZ spin model. We show how to infer the Witten index from open-system averaging and numerically demonstrate its topological robustness in this model. Our Letter defines a route for quantum analog simulators to directly identify many-body topological physics.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Open quantum systems
• Quantum simulation
• Supersymmetric models
• Quantum many-body systems
• Rydberg atoms & molecules
• Strongly correlated systems
• Supersymmetry