Deep Cooling of Ultracold Atoms in an Optical Lattice
Abstract
Approach:Progress in using cold atoms for the discovery and characterization of novel quantum states of matter, as well as for advancing practical applications in navigation, time keeping, and sensing, depends on our ability to lower temperatures further. We have developed the compensated lattice method that enables evaporative cooling of atoms in an optical lattice for the first time.While this achievement has led to the observation of antiferromagnetic correlations in a strongly interacting Fermi gas, greater progress is possible, including the possibility of cooling deep enough to observe the analog of high-temperature superconductivity with ultracold atoms. We propose to use a digital micro-mirror device and phase masks to implement a highly optimizedversion of the compensated lattice to push the method as far as it can go. In addition, we plan to use an entropy conduit, made from far-detuned light beams to create metallic tubes that can conduct and store entropy in the Mott insulator phase of fermions on an optical lattice. Theultracold atoms will be used as an analog quantum computer to characterize the quantum phases of the Hubbard model.Objective:The development of new methods for cooling atoms, bosons or fermions, to temperatures that are sufficiently low to reveal new phases of matter.Naval Relevance:The motivation to develop methods for better and more efficient cooling drives nearly every application of cold atoms, as performance generally improves with lower temperatures. This is certainly the case, for example, for devices that perform navigation, time keeping, and sensing functions, where systematic effects from Doppler shifts and motional fields are minimized withcolder (and hence, slower) atoms. Furthermore, decoherence mechanisms, which are perhaps theprimary limitation on the scalability of quantum devices involving massive entanglement, are usually reduced at lower temperature. Finally, our work on the Hubbard model is relevant to gaining a better understanding, and perhaps developing novel quantum phases in electronicmaterials, including high-temperature superconductors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612523
Entities
People
- Randall G. Hulet
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Rice University
- United States Navy