Rydberg-atom synthetic dimensions in the form of a lattice of $n{}^{3}S_1$ levels, $58\le n\le 63$, coupled through two-photon microwave excitation are used to examine dynamics within the single-particle Su-Schrieffer-Heeger Hamiltonian. This paradigmatic model of topological matter describes a particle hopping on a one-dimensional lattice with staggered hopping rates. Tunneling rates between lattice sites and on-site potentials are set by the microwave amplitudes and detuning, respectively. An atom is first excited to a Rydberg state that lies within the lattice and then subject to the microwave dressing fields. After some time, the dressing fields are turned off and the evolution of the population distribution in the different final lattice sites monitored using field ionization. The measurements show the existence of long-lived symmetry-protected edge states and reveal the existence of direct long-distance tunneling between the edge states. The results are in good agreement with model calculations and further demonstrate the potential of Rydberg-atom synthetic dimensions to simulate and faithfully reproduce complex Hamiltonians.

• Received 15 November 2023
• Accepted 25 January 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.109.032801