Laser-cooled and trapped atomic ions form an ideal standard for the simulation of interacting quantum spin models. Effective spins are represented by appropriate internal energy levels within each ion, and the spins can be measured with near-perfect efciency using state-dependent uorescence techniques. By applying optical elds that exert optical dipole forces on the ions, their Coulomb interaction can be modulated in ways that give rise to long-range and tunable spin-spin interactions that can be recongured by shaping the spectrum and pattern of the laser elds. Here we review the theoretical mapping of atomic ions to interacting spin systems, the experimental preparation of complex equilibrium states, and the study of dynamical processes of this many-body interacting quantum system. The use of such quantum simulators for studying spin models may inform our understanding of exotic quantum materials and shed light on interacting quantum systems that cannot be modeled with conventional computers.

中文翻译：

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具有捕获离子的自旋系统的可编程量子模拟

激光冷却和捕获的原子离子形成了相互作用的量子自旋模型的理想模拟标准。有效的自旋由每个离子内适当的内部能级表示，并且可以使用状态依赖的发光技术以接近完美的效率测量自旋。通过施加在离子上施加光偶极力的光场，可以以引起长距离和可调谐自旋-自旋相互作用的方式调制它们的库仑相互作用，这些相互作用可以通过对激光场的光谱和图案进行整形来加以补偿。在这里，我们回顾了原子离子到相互作用的自旋系统的理论映射，复杂平衡态的实验准备以及该多体相互作用量子系统的动力学过程的研究。