Direct observation of geometric phase interference in dynamics around a conical intersection with a trapped ion analog quantum simulator

Photochemical reactions that occur in molecular processes such as our vision often involve rapid and efficient reactions that occur on femtosecond timescales. However, simulating their dynamics can be challenging with conventional computers, particularly in strong vibronic (vibrational and electronic) coupling regimes where common approximations break down. We show that vibronic coupling Hamiltonians representing ultrafast molecular dynamics can be efficiently simulated on an analogue quantum simulator with coupled internal and bosonic states. We experimentally demonstrate our simulator by engineering a Jahn-Teller conical intersection (CI) in the internal and external degrees of freedom of a trapped ion [1]. We reconstruct the motional wavepacket’s probability density as it encircles the CI and observe clear interference due to geometric phase. Our experimental results validate the feasibility of using analogue quantum simulators with trapped ions to study ultrafast molecular dynamics.

[1] C. H. Valahu et al., Nature Chemistry (2023), 10.1038/s41557-023-01300-3