LAUSR

The majority of quantum simulators treat simplified one-band strongly correlated models, whereas multiple bands are needed to describe materials with intermediate correlation. We investigate the sensitivity of multiband quantum simulators to: (1) the form of optical lattices, (2) the interactions between electron analogs. Since the kinetic-energy terms of electron analogs in a quantum simulator and electrons in a solid are identical, by examining both periodic potential and interaction we explore the full problem of many-band quantum simulators within the Born–Oppenheimer approximation. Density functional calculations show that band structure is highly sensitive to the form of optical lattice, and it is necessary to go beyond sinusoidal potentials to ensure that the bands closest to the Fermi surface are similar to those in real materials. Analysis of several electron analog types finds that dressed Rydberg atoms (DRAs) have promising interactions for multiband quantum simulation. DRA properties can be chosen so that interaction matrices approximate those in real systems and decoherence effects are controlled, albeit with parameters at the edge of currently available technology. We conclude that multiband quantum simulators implemented by using the principles established here could provide insight into the complex processes in real materials.