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arXiv:1610.07896 · Frontiers of Physics

Isolated structures in two-dimensional optical superlattice

X. Zou, Baoguo Yang, Xia Xu, Peng-Ju Tang, Xiaoji Zhou

Published Nov 15, 2016• 1 citation
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Overlaying commensurate optical lattices with various configurations called superlattices can lead to exotic lattice topologies and, in turn, a discovery of novel physics. In this study, by overlapping the maxima of lattices, a new isolated structure is created, while the interference of minima can generate various “sublattice” patterns. Three different kinds of primitive lattices are used to demonstrate isolated square, triangular, and hexagonal “sublattice” structures in a two-dimensional optical superlattice, the patterns of which can be manipulated dynamically by tuning the polarization, frequency, and intensity of laser beams. In addition, we propose the method of altering the relative phase to adjust the tunneling amplitudes in “sublattices”. Our configurations provide unique opportunities to study particle entanglement in “lattices” formed by intersecting wells and to implement special quantum logic gates in exotic lattice geometries.

DOI
10.1007/s11467-016-0626-x

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Overlaying commensurate optical lattices with various configurations called superlattices can lead to exotic lattice topologies and, in turn, a discovery of novel physics. In this study, by overlapping the maxima of lattices, a new isolated structure is created, while the interference of minima can generate various “sublattice” patterns. Three different kinds of primitive lattices are used to demonstrate isolated square, triangular, and hexagonal “sublattice” structures in a two-dimensional optical superlattice, the patterns of which can be manipulated dynamically by tuning the polarization, frequency, and intensity of laser beams. In addition, we propose the method of altering the relative phase to adjust the tunneling amplitudes in “sublattices”. Our configurations provide unique opportunities to study particle entanglement in “lattices” formed by intersecting wells and to implement special quantum logic gates in exotic lattice geometries.
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The recent discovery of the Lorentz symmetry-violating ``type-II'' Weyl semimetal phase has renewed interest in the study of Weyl physics in condensed-matter systems. However, tuning the exceptional properties of this novel state has remained a challenge. Optical lattices, created using standing laser beams, provide a convenient platform to tune tunneling parameters continuously in time. In this paper, we propose a generalized two level system exhibiting type-II Weyl points that can be realized using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice. The system is engineered using a three-dimensional lattice with complex $\ensuremath{\pi}$ phase tunneling amplitudes. Various unique properties of the type-II Weyl semimetal such as open Fermi surface, anomalous chirality, and topological Fermi arcs can be probed using the proposed optical lattice scheme.
We realize a two-dimensional kagome lattice for ultracold atoms by overlaying two commensurate triangular optical lattices generated by light at the wavelengths of 532 and 1064 nm. Stabilizing and tuning the relative position of the two lattices, we explore different lattice geometries including a kagome, a one-dimensional stripe, and a decorated triangular lattice. We characterize these geometries using Kapitza-Dirac diffraction and by analyzing the Bloch-state composition of a superfluid released suddenly from the lattice. The Bloch-state analysis also allows us to determine the ground-state distribution within the superlattice unit cell. The lattices implemented in this work offer a near-ideal realization of a paradigmatic model of many-body quantum physics, which can serve as a platform for future studies of geometric frustration.
In this paper the authors present the first experiments loading a Bose-Einstein condensate into a triangular optical lattice. The lattice is formed by three interfering laser beams intersecting at a relative angle of 120deg in one plane in addition to one retroreflected beam perpendicular to this plane. Depending on the strength of this last beam, the lattice potential can be tuned from a triangular lattice of Id tubes to a Id stack of 2d triangular lattice sheets. As an interesting aspect, the triangular lattice can be transformed into a "magnetic" hexagonal one with sublattices for the different spin orientations, just by rotating the laser polarization.
Ultracold atoms in optical lattices provide a versatile platform for studying many-body physics in a defect-free system with tunable parameters. For the analog quantum simulation of the Fermi-Hubbard model, fermionic atoms take on the role of the valence electrons and optical lattices provide the periodic potential in place of the solid-state crystal. The dynamics in the system are described by the tunneling amplitude t between neighboring lattice sites and the interaction energy U of two particles occupying the same lattice site. With the depth of the optical lattices and an external magnetic field, both parameters can be tuned to access a wide range of regimes. Two superimposed lattices with different lattice periods form an optical superlattice, where the most common configuration is a bichromatic superlattice with lattice periods different by a factor of two. Depending on the lattice depths and the relative phase of the lattices, the bichromatic superlattice potential ranges from an array of weakly-coupled double wells to a continuous lattice potential with a staggered energy offset. We developed a calibration technique for measuring the depth of an optical lattice with local resolution. The band structure of the optical lattice is probed by modulating the lattice depth and exciting the atoms to higher bands. However, compared to resolving the band occupations in a time-of-flight measurement, we further excite the atoms to an untrapped band to deplete the optical lattice along equipotential lines where the modulation frequency is resonant with the local band transitions. From the profile of the lattice depth, we obtain the calibration factor for the power regulation, the waist of the underlying lattice beams and the position of the lattice axis. This technique combines several calibration measurements, thereby reducing the measurement time and enabling an automation of the lattice alignment. For the bichromatic superlattice we realized an active stabilization of the superlattice phase that enables long-term measurements with a precise control over the superlattice phase. The instability of the superlattice phase is a result of the different refractive indices for the two lattices in air and the optical elements along the optical path. Using environmental sensors, we monitor the temperature, the pressure, and the relative humidity to apply the expected correction to the superlattice phase. The stabilized superlattice phase enabled the investigation of Floquet-driven double wells by modulating the energy offset through the superlattice phase. We used a near-resonant driving frequency with respect to the interaction energy to enhance the pair-tunneling amplitude in doubly-occupied double wells compared to static double wells and compared to the tunneling amplitude in singly-occupied double wells.
We describe the design and implementation of a two-dimensional optical lattice of double wells suitable for isolating and manipulating an array of individual pairs of atoms in an optical lattice. Atoms in the square lattice can be placed in a double well with any of their four nearest neighbors. The properties of the double well (the barrier height and relative energy offset of the paired sites) can be dynamically controlled. The topology of the lattice is phase stable against phase noise imparted by vibrational noise on mirrors. We demonstrate the dynamic control of the lattice by showing the coherent splitting of atoms from single wells into double wells and observing the resulting double-slit atom diffraction pattern. This lattice can be used to test controlled neutral atom motion among lattice sites and should allow for testing controlled two-qubit gates.