Exact Correlation Functions for Dual-Unitary Lattice Models in 1+1 Dimensions

Abstract

We consider a class of quantum lattice models in $1+1$ dimensions represented as local quantum circuits that enjoy a particular "dual-unitarity" property. In essence, this property ensures that both the evolution "in time" and that "in space" are given in terms of unitary transfer matrices. We show that for this class of circuits, generically non-integrable, one can compute explicitly all dynamical correlations of local observables. Our result is exact, non-pertubative, and holds for any dimension $d$ of the local Hilbert space. In the minimal case of qubits ($d = 2$) we also present a classification of all dual-unitary circuits which allows us to single out a number of distinct classes for the behaviour of the dynamical correlations. We find "non-interacting" classes, where all correlations are preserved, the ergodic and mixing one, where all correlations decay, and, interestingly, also classes that are are both interacting and non-ergodic.