We would like to inform you about an upcoming webinar organized by the quantum computing startup QuEra (Boston, USA), which will take place on Tuesday 10 February 2026 at 15:00 (Serbian time).

The webinar, entitled

“Ergodicity breaking meets criticality in a gauge-theory quantum simulator”

will be presented by:

Dr Ana Hudomal, Scientific Computing Laboratory, Institute of Physics Belgrade,
Prof. Zlatko Papić, University of Leeds,
Dr Milan Kornjača, QuEra Computing, and
Dr Tommaso Macrì, QuEra Computing.

Abstract:
Recent advances in quantum simulations have opened access to the real-time dynamics of lattice gauge theories, providing a new setting to explore how quantum criticality influences thermalization and ergodicity far from equilibrium. Using QuEra's programmable Rydberg atom array, we map out the dynamical phase diagram of the spin-1/2 U(1) quantum link model in one spatial dimension by quenching the fermion mass. We reveal a tunable regime of ergodicity breaking due to quantum many-body scars, manifested as long-lived coherent oscillations that persist across a much broader range of parameters than previously observed, including at the equilibrium phase transition point. We further analyze the electron-positron pairs generated during state preparation via the Kibble-Zurek mechanism, which strongly affect the post-quench dynamics. Our results provide new insights into nonthermal dynamics in lattice gauge theories and establish Rydberg atom arrays as a powerful platform for probing the interplay between ergodicity breaking and quantum criticality.

The webinar is based on the paper:
**[*arx1v_l1nk*]**

Registration link:
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