BosQuanTran · Quantum simulation of transport properties in arbitrary shaped potential landscapes with ultracold bosonic atoms

Quantum simulation of transport properties in arbitrary shaped potential landscapes with ultracold bosonic atoms

Transport experiments are among the most important experimental probes in solid state physics to investigate the properties of different phases of matter. Among the most intriguing effects recently discovered are high-Tc superconductors and fractional-quantum Hall insulators. In both cases interactions between charge carriers play a significant role, which makes the development of suitable theoretical models challenging, in parts because numerical studies are computationally costly. An alternative solution consists in analog quantum simulations, e.g. with ultracold atoms. These systems constitute very clean and highly controllable environments whose parameters, such as dimensionality and interactions, can be adjusted externally and in many cases even varied dynamically. Most recent technical achievements enabled the engineering of almost arbitrary trapping geometries using high-resolution imaging systems and Digital Micromirror Devices (DMDs). The research area of atomtronics in particular aims at designing and studying electronic-like circuits. Based on the new developments they can now reach unprecedented control and precision. In combination with recent success in the realization of topological quantum states, future studies of topological transport phenomena may come within reach. Within this project we are planning to investigate transport phenomena with weakly-interacting ultracold bosonic atoms. To provide the most flexible experimental setting we combine novel high-resolution imaging techniques with recently realized two-dimensional (2D) uniform trapping geometries. Another key ingredient is an optical accordion lattice with tunable lattice spacing for efficient loading of dense 2D atom clouds and tunable interaction strength. In combination with detection techniques such as partial imaging and matter-wave interference we can access important experimental observables such as correlation functions. We have implemented and characterized a reliable and flexible experimental setup, which will enable future studies in transport geometries with one-dimensional (1D) channels that support only one single-particle transport mode. We will engineer channels with lattice or disorder potentials, which are particularly useful to observe thermomechanical effects, such as the superfluid fountain effect. By reaching the truly-2D regime we will further investigate the scaling of the Berezinsky-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition and by implementing optical flux lattices we will work towards the ambitious goal of observing topological transport phenomena.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз