arXiv:0902.2638 · Physical Review A
Quantum phases of bosonic atoms with two levels coupled by a cavity field in an optical lattice
Hashem Zoubi, Helmut Ritsch
Abstract
We study the quantum phase transition between superfluid and Mott-insulator states for ultracold bosons with two internal states forming two bands of an optical lattice. The two atomic states are resonantly coupled by a coherent field enclosed in a single cavity mode, which mediates transitions between the two bosonic particle modes via absorption or emission of cavity photons. As nonlocal atomic coherence can build up via photon assisted tunneling, this coupling shifts the transition to the Mott-insulator phase toward deeper lattice potentials and stronger on-site interaction. Varying the intra and interband on-site interactions leads to several different atomic phase configurations. There are even parameter regions, where a mean-field approach predicts concurrence of a Mott-insulator state in one band and a superfluid in the other band.