Exact eigenstates in the Lesanovsky model, proximity to integrability and the PXP model, and approximate scar states

Abstract

We study a model of Rydberg atoms in a nearest-neighbor Rydberg blockaded regime, introduced by Lesanovsky [Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 105301 (2012)]. This many-body model (which has one parameter z) has an exactly known gapped liquid ground state, and two exactly known low-lying excitations. We discover two exact low-lying eigenstates. We also discuss behavior of the model at small parameter z and its proximity to an integrable model. Lastly, we discuss connections between the Lesanovsky model at intermediate z and the so-called PXP model. The PXP model describes a recent experiment that observed unusual revivals from a charge-density-wave initial state, which are attributed to a set of many-body “scar states” which do not obey the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis. We discuss the possibility of approximate scar states in the Lesanovsky model and present two approximations for them.