Quantum gas microscopy of dipolar fermions in geometrically frustrated lattices
Abstract
Ultracold atoms provide a versatile platform for quantum simulation of strongly correlated quantum many-body systems. While exquisit,e control has been achieved over external and internal degrees of freedom of itinerant cold atoms, the realization of strong long-ra,nge interactions is still a major challenge in these systems. In an optical lattice, neutral atoms typically interact via short-rang,ed (on-site) interactions, which can be well approximated by a zero-range potential characterized by a parameter termed scattering l,ength. There are a variety of approaches to extend the range of interactions. These include the use of dipolar molecules, or atoms w,ith magnetic dipole moments. While these interactions are sizable at short distances, they are typically weak at relevant length sca,les in Hubbard-regime optical lattices of ~500-1000 nm. To realize novel long-range interacting quantum phases, nearest-neighbor int,eraction strengths of the order of the Hubbard interaction and the tunneling energy are required. Even more interesting topological, quantum phases can be investigated by studying such nearest-neighbor interacting Hubbard systems on lattices that geometrically sup,press staggered ordering, e.g., on a triangular lattice. Here, we propose to extend our triangular-lattice quantum gas microscope a,t the University of Virginia by implementing a Rydberg laser system to couple the fermionic ground state atoms to long-range interac,ting Rydberg states. By weakly admixing an extremely strong interacting Rydberg state to the electronic ground state, Rydberg dresse,d states are formed that inherit interactions from the Rydberg state but have much longer lifetime. With the proposed laser system,, the nearest-neighbor interaction energy will be comparable to the tunneling energy scale while the system lifetime exceeds the tunn,eling time. Such a system can operate in a parameter regime that enables the study of ultracold fermions in a two-dimensional geome,trically frustrated lattice with dipolar long-range interactions, thereby implementing a frustrated extended Hubbard model. Our syst,em is an ideal testbed for non-equilibrium physics and kinetic frustration because dynamics is on observable timescales and initial, temperatures below the tunneling energy scale have been commonly achieved. The extended Hubbard model allows to simulate more reali,stically electronic systems and shows a variety of interesting exotic quantum phases, including fractional Mott phases and Haldane p,hases with topological order. This abstract is publicly releasable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 08, 2022
- Source ID
- N000142212681
Entities
People
- Peter Schauss
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Virginia