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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Rydberg atom arrays as quantum simulators for molecular dynamics

Simon Euchner1,* and Igor Lesanovsky1,2

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Physik and Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
  • 2School of Physics and Astronomy and Centre for the Mathematics and Theoretical Physics of Quantum Non-Equilibrium Systems, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom

  • *Contact author: simon.euchner@uni-tuebingen.de
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Phys. Rev. Research 7, L042009 – Published 6 October, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/r54t-myhc

Abstract

Rydberg atoms held in optical tweezer arrays combine vibrational and electronic degrees of freedom that can be coupled and manipulated at a microscopic level. This opens opportunities for the quantum simulation of artificial molecular systems and offers in particular a platform for probing complex vibronic dynamics in controlled settings with increasing complexity. Tailored interatomic interactions and electron-phonon couplings yield handles for designing electronic state manifolds, for studying structural transitions, and for exploring nonclassical vibrational states near molecular instabilities. Furthermore, this quantum simulator opens opportunities for testing and quantifying the validity of fundamental concepts, such as the Born-Oppenheimer approximation and quantum corrections to it.

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Phys. Rev. Research 7, L042009– Published 6 October, 2025
  • Received 18 June 2025
  • Accepted 27 August 2025
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