Observation of microscopic confinement dynamics by a tunable topological θ-angle

The topological θ-angle is central to several gauge theories in condensed-matter and high-energy physics. For example, it is responsible for the strong CP problem in quantum chromodynamics and can emerge in effective theories of electrodynamics in topological insulators. Although analogue quantum simulators potentially offer a venue for realizing and controlling the θ-angle, doing so has hitherto remained an outstanding challenge. Here, we describe the experimental realization of a tunable topological θ-angle in a Bose–Hubbard gauge-theory quantum simulator, which was implemented through a tilted superlattice potential that induces an effective background electric field. We demonstrate the emerging physics through the direct observation of the confinement–deconfinement transition of (1 + 1)-dimensional quantum electrodynamics. Using an atomic-precision quantum gas microscope, we distinguish between the confined and deconfined phases by monitoring the real-time evolution of particle–antiparticle pairs. Our work provides a step forward in the realization of topological terms on modern quantum simulators. Topological terms arise naturally in gauge theories but have been difficult to implement in quantum simulators. Now, a tunable topological θ-angle is demonstrated with a cold-atom platform.