Stabilizer Scars

Abstract: Quantum many-body scars are eigenstates in non-integrable isolated quantum systems that defy typical thermalization paradigms, violating the eigenstate thermalization hypothesis and quantum ergodicity. We identify exact analytic scar solutions in a 2 + 1 dimensional lattice gauge theory in a quasi-1d limit as zero-magic stabilizer states. We propose a protocol for their experimental preparation, presenting an opportunity to demonstrate a quantum over classical advantage via simulating the non-equilibrium dynamics of a strongly coupled system. Our results also highlight the importance of magic for gauge theory thermalization, revealing a connection between computational complexity and quantum ergodicity.