Minimal model for Hilbert space fragmentation with local constraints

Abstract

Interacting quantum systems may exhibit fragmentation of their Hilbert space into dynamically disconnected sectors leading to unusual properties like nonergodicity. Fragmentation usually stems from the simultaneous conservation of charge and dipole moment. The authors demonstrate that an alternative scenario occurs in the absence of dipole conservation via a minimal model of interacting spins where fragmentation, including a novel secondary fragmentation in an entangled basis, emerges. A Floquet version of the model yields detectable stroboscopic freezing of certain states at specific drive frequencies.