Trimer quantum spin liquid in a honeycomb array of Rydberg atoms

Quantum spin liquids are elusive but paradigmatic examples of strongly correlated quantum states that are characterized by long-range quantum entanglement. Recently, signatures of a gapped topological $${{\mathbb{Z}}}_{2}$$ Z 2 spin liquid have been observed in a system of Rydberg atoms; however, the full capability of these platforms to realize quantum spin liquids extends far beyond this state alone. Here, we propose the realization of a different class of spin liquids in a honeycomb array of Rydberg atoms. Exploring the system’s quantum phase diagram using density-matrix renormalization group and exact diagonalization calculations, we identify several density-wave-ordered phases and a trimer spin liquid ground state with an emergent U(1) × U(1) local symmetry. This liquid state originates from superpositions of classical trimer configurations on the dual triangular lattice in the regime where third-nearest-neighbor atoms lie within the Rydberg blockade radius. Finally, we discuss the conditions to enhance the preparation fidelity of this state by a general Rydberg-blockade-based projection mechanism, test the robustness of the trimer spin liquid phase in a range of realistic parameters, and outline methods for its experimental detection. Quantum spin liquids, with their fractionalized excitations, are intriguing yet challenging to realise. In this work, the authors demonstrate the feasibility of preparing a trimer spin liquid in a honeycomb array of Rydberg atoms through numerical studies.