Quantum critical dynamics in a spinor Hubbard model quantum simulator

Three-dimensional (3D) strongly correlated many-body systems, especially their dynamics across quantum phase transitions, are prohibitively difficult to be numerically simulated. We implement a quantum simulator to study these many-body dynamics using an antiferromagnetic spinor Bose-Einstein condensate confined in a cubic optical lattice. We find dynamics and scaling effects beyond the scope of existing theories at superfluid-insulator quantum phase transitions, and highlight spin populations as a good observable to probe the quantum critical dynamics. Our data indicate that the scaling exponents are independent of the nature of the quantum phase transitions. We also explore the differences between spin population and superfluid order parameter as observables and discuss benefits and deficiencies of each.