Un ordinateur quantique (OQ), i.e. utilisant les ressources de la physique Q, superposition et intrication, pourrait fournir un gain exponentiel de temps de calcul. Une simulation utilisant ces ressources est appelée simulation Q (SQ). L’avantage des SQs sur les simulations classiques est bien établi au niveau théorique, i.e. software. Leur avantage pratique requiert un hardware Q. L’OQ, sous-entendu universel (cf. plus bas), n’a pas encore vu le jour, mais les efforts en ce sens sont croissants et variés. Aussi la SQ a-t-elle déjà été illustrée par de nombreuses expériences de principe, grâce à des calculateurs ou simulateurs Qs de taille réduite. Les marches Qs (MQs) sont des schémas de SQ particulièrement étudiés, étant des briques élémentaires pour concevoir n’importe quel algorithme Q, i.e. pour le calcul Q universel. La présente thèse est un pas de plus vers une simulation des théories Qs des champs basée sur les MQs à temps discret (MQTD). En effet, il est montré, dans certains cas, comment les MQTD peuvent simuler, au continu, l'action d'un champ de jauge Yang-Mills sur de la matière fermionique, et la rétroaction de cette-dernière sur la dynamique du champ de jauge. Les schémas proposés préservent l’invariance de jauge au niveau de la grille d’espace-temps, i.e. pas seulement au continu. Il est proposé (i) des équations de Maxwell sur grille, compatibles avec la conservation du courant sur la grille, et (ii) une courbure non-abélienne définie sur la grille. De plus, il est montré comment cette matière fermionique à base de MQTD peut être couplée à des champs gravitationnels relativistes du continu, i.e. des espaces-temps courbes, en dimension 1+2. / A quantum (Q) computer (QC), i.e. utilizing the resources of Q physics, superposition of states and entanglement, could fournish an exponential gain in computing time. A simulation using such resources is called a Q simulation (QS). The advantage of QSs over classical ones is well established at the theoretical, i.e. software level. Their practical benefit requires their implementation on a Q hardware. The QC, i.e. the universal one (see below), has not seen the light of day yet, but the efforts in this direction are both growing and diverse. Also, QS has already been illustrated by numerous experimental proofs of principle, thanks too small-size and specific-task Q computers or simulators. Q walks (QWs) are particularly-studied QS schemes, being elementary bricks to conceive any Q algorithm, i.e. to achieve so-called universal Q computation. The present thesis is a step more towards a simulation of Q field theories based on discrete-time QWs (DTQWs). Indeed, it is shown, in certain cases, how DTQWs can simulate, in the continuum, the action of Yang-Mills gauge fields on fermionic matter, and the retroaction of the latter on the gauge-field dynamics. The suggested schemes preserve gauge invariance on the spacetime lattice, i.e. not only in the continuum. In the (1+2)D Abelian case, consistent lattice equivalents to both Maxwell’s equations and the current conservation are suggested. In the (1+1)D non-Abelian case, a lattice version of the non-Abelian field strength is suggested. Moreover, it is shown how this fermionic matter based on DTQWs can be coupled to relativistic gravitational fields of the continuum, i.e. to curved spacetimes, in several spatial dimensions.

Ultracold atomic systems have provided an ideal platform to study the physics of strongly interacting many body systems in an unprecedentedly controlled and clean environment. And, since fermions are the building blocks of visible matter, being naturally motivated we focus on the physics of ultracold fermionic systems in this thesis. There have been many recent experimental developments in these systems such as the creation of synthetic gauge fields, realization of dimensional crossover and realization of systems with synthetic dimensions. These developments pose many open theoretical questions, some of which we address in this thesis. We start the discussion by studying the spectral function of an ideal spin-12 Fermi gas in a harmonic trap in any dimensions. We discuss the performance of the local density approximation (LDA) in calculating the spectral function of the system by comparing it to exact numerical results. We show that the LDA gives better results for larger number of particles and in higher dimensions. Fermionic systems with quasi two dimensional geometry are of great importance because of their connections to the high-Tc superconducting cuprate materials. Keeping this in mind, we consider a spin-12 fermionic system in three dimensions interacting with a contact interaction and confined by a one dimensional optical potential in one direction. Using the Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism, we show that with increasing the depth of the optical potential the three dimensional superfluid evolves into a two dimensional one by looking at the shifts in the radio-frequency spectrum of the system and the change in the binding energy of the pairs that are formed. The next topic of interest is studying the effect of synthetic gauge fields on the ultracold fermionic systems. We show that a synthetic non-Abelian Rashba type gauge field has experimentally observable signatures on the size and shape of a cloud of a system of non-interacting spin-12 Fermi system in a harmonic trap. Also, the synthetic gauge field in conjunction with the harmonic potential gives rise to ample possibilities of generating novel quantum Hamiltonians like the spherical geometry quantum Hall, magnetic monopoles etc. We then address the physics of fermions in “synthetic dimensions”. The hyperfine states of atoms loaded in a one dimensional optical lattice can be used as an extra dimension, called the synthetic dimension (SD), by using Raman coupling. This way a finite strip Hofstadter model is realized with a tunable flux per plaquette. The experimental realization of the SD system is most naturally possible in systems which also have SU(M) symmetric interactions between the fermions. The SU(M) symmetric interactions manifest as long-ranged along the synthetic dimension and is the root cause of all the novel physics in these systems. This rich physics is revealed by a mapping of the Hamiltonian of the system to a system of particles interacting via an SU(M) symmetric interaction under the influence of an SU(M) Zeeman field and a non-Abelian SU(M) gauge field. For example, this equivalence brings out the possibility of generating a non-local interaction between the particles at different sites; while the gauge filed mitigates the baryon (SU(M) singlet M-body bound states) breaking effect of the Zeeman field. As a result, the site localized SU(M) singlet baryon gets deformed and forms a “squished baryon”. Also, finite momentum dimers and resonance like states are formed in the system. Many body physics in the SD system is then studied using both analytical and numerical (Density Matrix Renormalization Group) techniques. This study reveals fascinating possibilities such as the formation of Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov states even without any “imbalance” and the possibility to evolve a “ferromagnet” to a “superfluid” by the application of a magnetic field. Other novel fermionic phases with quasi-condensates of squished baryons are also demonstrated. In summary, the topics addressed in this thesis demonstrate the possibilities and versatilities of the ultracold fermionic systems used in conjunction with synthetic gauge fields and dimensions

<p>Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) in light-induced synthetic gauge fields and spaces can provide a highly-tunable platform for quantum simulations. Chapter 1 presents a short introduction to the concepts of BECs and our BEC machine. Chapter 2 introduces some basic ideas of how to use light-matter interactions to create synthetic gauge fields and spaces for neutral atoms. Three main research topics of the thesis are summarized below.</p> <p>Chapter 3: Recently, using bosonic quasiparticles (including their condensates) as spin carriers in spintronics has become promising for coherent spin transport over macroscopic distances. However, understanding the effects of spin-orbit (SO) coupling and many-body interactions on such a spin transport is barely explored. We study the effects of synthetic SO coupling (which can be turned on and off, not allowed in usual materials) and atomic interactions on the spin transport in an atomic BEC.</p> <p>Chapter 4: Interplay between matter and fields in physical spaces with nontrivial geometries can lead to phenomena unattainable in planar spaces. However, realizing such spaces is often impeded by experimental challenges. We synthesize real and curved synthetic dimensions into a Hall cylinder for a BEC, which develops symmetry-protected topological states absent in the planar counterpart. Our work opens the door to engineering synthetic gauge fields in spaces with a wide range of geometries and observing novel phenomena inherent to such spaces.</p> <p>Chapter 5: Rotational properties of a BEC are important to study its superfluidity. Recent studies have found that SO coupling can change a BEC's rotational and superfluid properties, but this topic is barely explored experimentally. We study rotational dynamics of a SO-coupled BEC in an effective rotating frame induced by a synthetic magnetic field. Our work may allow for studying how SO coupling modify a BEC's rotational and superfluid properties.</p> <p>Chapter 6 presents some possible future directions.</p>