Novel Quantum Matter in Ultra cold Atomic Gases with Synthetic Spin orbit Coupling
Abstract
Spin-orbit coupling has played important roles in condensed matter as well as atomic and nuclear physics. In this context, the recent experimental realization of the coupling between spin and linear momentum (SLM coupling) of ultra-cold atoms provides a completely new avenue for exploring many-body phenomena using atomic superfluids. On the other hand, many other important and fundamental types of spin-orbit coupling, such as the coupling between spin and orbital angular momentum (SOAM coupling) have not been explored for cold atoms. Moreover, the experimental realization of SLM coupling has only utilized the lowest order Gaussian laser beams. The objective of the proposal is to investigate new quantum phases derived from synthetic SLM and SOAM coupling, with particular emphasis on their experimental relevance. The proposed work will give theoretical insights of the generation and application of various types of SLM and SOAM coupling in cold atom superfluids, which will not only pave the way for their experimental realization, but also provides a platform for engineering novel quantum matter. In the past two years, two experimental groups have realized our proposed SOAM coupling and observed the resulting phase transition.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1109944
Entities
People
- Chuanwei Zhang
Organizations
- University of Texas at Dallas