Chaos and hyperchaos in a chain of coupled Rydberg atoms

Partially quantum coherent arrays of artificial atoms (e.g., superconducting qubits) may be used as analogue simulators of other quantum systems, when the behaviour of the latter cannot be directly observed or modeled by classical means. Here we show that a chain of superconducting qubits can simulate the chaotic behaviour predicted in chains of Rydberg atoms. We investigate the transition from periodic to chaotic dynamics and show the increase of the number of positive Lyapunov exponents as the number of atoms grows. The possibility of an external control and suppression of hyperchaos in the chain is demonstrated.