Abstract: Quantum simulators offer a powerful strategy to use a highly controllable quantum device to mimic the physics of interest, which provides a complementary approach to the computational challenges that hinder exact electronic structure calculations. In this seminar, we will explore recent advances in the analog simulation of condensed matter and chemistry-related problems [1] using ultracold atoms in optical lattices. In particular, we will focus on new strategies to emulate chemistry regimes that are especially challenging for conventional numerical methods, as it is the case of the response to ultrafast pulses [2], or regimes where the Born-Oppenheimer approximation is not valid. For this purpose, we will highlight the engineering of long-range interactions that expand the quantum simulation toolbox, offering novel insights into quantum chemistry and strongly correlated matter [3].

[1] JAL, A González-Tudela, T Shi, P Zoller, JI Cirac. Nature 574 (7777), 215 (2019)

[2] JAL, …, M Lewenstein. PRX Quantum 5 (1), 010328 (2024)

[3] K. Gallego-Lizarribar, …, JAL. Phys. Rev. Res. 6 (4), L042048 (2024)