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This study utilizes ultracold Rydberg gases as a controllable simulator to experimentally validate the link between neural network efficiency and criticality in non-equilibrium dynamics. By implementing gain mechanisms that mimic metabolic replenishment, researchers successfully stabilized these quantum systems at their critical points while observing universal avalanche shapes consistent with biological neuron models. The work establishes facilitated Rydberg platforms as essential tools for probing resource dynamics and emergent oscillations without the sampling limitations inherent to wet-lab neuroscience.
Simulating neural network criticality and resource dynamics with Rydberg gases
arXiv:2607.16368v1 Announce Type: cross Abstract: Efficient operation of neural networks has been linked to criticality in their underlying non-equilibrium excitation dynamics. However, obtaining experimental evidence of this conjecture remains challenging due to limited control and undersampling in biological systems. Here, we experimentally explore neural network criticality using an ultracold Rydberg gas as a highly controllable simulator. We highlight the similarity of the excitation spreading via Rydberg facilitation and the synaptic connection of spiking activity of neurons, giving rise to distinct absorbing and active phases. We systematically explore and resolve criticality criteria, including power-law scaling of excitation avalanches and the emergence of universal avalanche shape collapse. Crucially, we implement a controlled gain mechanism to compensate for atom loss, mimicking metabolic resource replenishment and stabilizing the system in a controlled non-equilibrium steady state. We find peak temporal correlations at the critical point and stochastic oscillations with dragon king avalanches in the active phase, consistent with predictions for systems orbiting criticality. Our work establishes facilitated Rydberg gases as a platform for investigating criticality, resource dynamics, and emergent oscillations in neural networks.
Abstract:Efficient operation of neural networks has been linked to criticality in their underlying non-equilibrium excitation dynamics. However, obtaining experimental evidence of this conjecture remains challenging due to limited control and undersampling in biological systems. Here, we experimentally explore neural network criticality using an ultracold Rydberg gas as a highly controllable simulator. We highlight the similarity of the excitation spreading via Rydberg facilitation and the synaptic connection of spiking activity of neurons, giving rise to distinct absorbing and active phases. We systematically explore and resolve criticality criteria, including power-law scaling of excitation avalanches and the emergence of universal avalanche shape collapse. Crucially, we implement a controlled gain mechanism to compensate for atom loss, mimicking metabolic resource replenishment and stabilizing the system in a controlled non-equilibrium steady state. We find peak temporal correlations at the critical point and stochastic oscillations with dragon king avalanches in the active phase, consistent with predictions for systems orbiting criticality. Our work establishes facilitated Rydberg gases as a platform for investigating criticality, resource dynamics, and emergent oscillations in neural networks.
Atomic Physics (physics.atom-ph); Quantum Gases (cond-mat.quant-gas); Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
arXiv:2607.16368 [physics.atom-ph]
(or arXiv:2607.16368v1 [physics.atom-ph] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2607.16368 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
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Full text under the publisher's open licence · 273 words
