TUCAL · Theory of Ultra-Cold Atoms in Lattices
FP6 — Marie Curie Actions (Human Resources and Mobility)
- Duration
- 2006-02-01 → 2008-01-31
- EU contribution
- €137,292
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- SCF
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Results in brief
Final Activity Report Summary - TUCAL (Theory of ultra-cold atoms in lattices)
In this project we have studied the physics of dipolar gases in optical lattices. Such a problem can be described in term of a generalised Bose-Hubbard model. Due to the long-range character of the interaction potential between dipolar atoms, the quantum phase diagram is strikingly different from the one expected in the case of on-site interaction only. Not only novel quantum phases like the checkerboard and the supersolid phases are predicted, but the system also presents a huge number of metastable insulating states in the low tunnelling region of the phase diagram. The discovery of these metastable states is the most important achievement of this project. In order to investigate the possibility of using the metastable states as quantum memories we have studied their lifetime and procedures to initialise, manipulate and detect the state of the system in a controlled way. Encouraging results have been found assuming the use of superlattice techniques presently available in experiments.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
This proposal concerns the theoretical investigation of ultra-cold atoms in lattices, with special attention to the strongly correlated regime. The scientific objectives consist in the application of innovative methods for strongly correlated systems to describe novel physical situations, obtained through the engineering of the Hamiltonian.We will solve the Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian using the Gutzwiller ansatz, the dynamical mean-field (DMF) method, the time-evolving block decimation (TEBD) method, as well as exact numerical solutions for small systems. The DMF and the DEBD are respectively a traditional method in condensed matter physics and a completely innovative method for slightly entangled systems, which look very promising for the study of ultra-cold gases.First, we will devote our attention to the study of the excited states and the dynamics of ultra-cold dipolar atoms in a lattice. We will investigate in particular whether the system is characterised by a multitude of almost degenerate states and how in this respect it compares with disordered systems. Our final aim is to draw the bridge with possible applications as neural networks or quantum memories.Second, we will investigate the physics of ultra-cold atoms in non-abelian gauge fields in a lattice, starting from the single particle behaviour (presently under investigation), to the weak interacting (mean-field) and strongly interacting (correlated) regime. Our ultimate goal is the investigation of Berry phases, non-abelian Aharonov-Bohm effect and area or perimeters laws for Wilson or t'Hooft loops.The training objectives of the proposal are aimed to bring the applicant to master the named techniques and acquire experience in multidisciplinary fields, ranging from neural networks, quantum field theory and quantum computation implementations, this last area being strongly interconnected with the present proposal from the point of view of theoretical and experimental methods.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- FUNDACIÓ PRIVADA INSTITUT DE CIÈNCIES FOTÒNIQUES · BARCELONACoordinatorCity levelSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union