Quantum predator-prey cycles in dissipative Rydberg array

Abstract:The predator-prey cycle is a paradigmatic example of self-organized population oscillations in far-from-equilibrium systems, yet testing its underlying mechanism in natural ecosystems is often precluded by uncontrollable microscopic parameters. Here, we propose a quantum analogue of predator-prey dynamics using a tunable two-dimensional Rydberg atom array. Through mean-field analysis and large-scale numerical simulations based on the open-system discrete truncated Wigner approximation, we demonstrate stable predator-prey cycles of Rydberg excitations on microsecond timescales. We show that nonperturbative quantum coherence drives spontaneous time-translation symmetry breaking, leading to globally synchronized oscillations under short-range interactions. Even under desynchronization caused by quantum jumps, locally synchronized predator-prey cycles persist, with amplitude scaling inversely with the square root of the system size. Our work extends the study of predator-prey models to the quantum realm and advances quantum simulation strategies that leverage engineered many-body nonequilibrium effects.

arXiv:2510.26295 [quant-ph]

(or arXiv:2510.26295v2 [quant-ph] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2510.26295 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite

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