An optical-lattice-based quantum simulator for relativistic field theories and topological insulators

We present a proposal for a versatile cold-atom-based quantum simulator of relativistic fermionic theories and topological insulators in arbitrary dimensions. The setup consists of a spin-independent optical lattice that traps a collection of hyperfine states of the same alkaline atom, to which the...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Mazza, Leonardo, Bermúdez Carballo, Alejandro, Goldman, Nathan, Rizzi, Matteo, Martín-Delgado Alcántara, Miguel Ángel, Lewenstein, Maciej
Format: article
Publication Date:2012
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM)
Repository:Docta Complutense
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:docta.ucm.es:20.500.14352/42821
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/42821
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:53
Quantized hall conductance
Neutral atoms
Magnetic-fields
Ultracold atoms
Dirac fermions
Flat-band
Absence
States
Superconudctors
Superfluids.
Física-Modelos matemáticos
Description
Summary:We present a proposal for a versatile cold-atom-based quantum simulator of relativistic fermionic theories and topological insulators in arbitrary dimensions. The setup consists of a spin-independent optical lattice that traps a collection of hyperfine states of the same alkaline atom, to which the different degrees of freedom of the field theory to be simulated are then mapped. We show that the combination of bi-chromatic optical lattices with Raman transitions can allow the engineering of a spin-dependent tunneling of the atoms between neighboring lattice sites. These assisted-hopping processes can be employed for the quantum simulation of various interesting models, ranging from noninteracting relativistic fermionic theories to topological insulators. We present a toolbox for the realization of different types of relativistic lattice fermions, which can then be exploited to synthesize a majority of phases in the periodic table of topological insulators.