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 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.