Ultracold atoms in optical lattices are a powerful tool for quantum simulation, precise measurement, and quantum computation. A fundamental problem in applying this quantum system is how to manipulate the higher bands or orbitals in Bloch states effectively. Here we mainly review our methods for manipulating high orbital ultracold atoms in optical lattices with different configurations. Based on these methods, we construct the atom-orbital qubit under nonadiabatic holonomic quantum control and Ramsey interferometry with trapped motional quantum states. Then we review the observation of the novel quantum states and the study of the dynamical evolution of the high orbital atoms in optical lattices. The effective manipulation of the high orbitals provides strong support for applying ultracold atoms in the optical lattice in many fields.
Ultracold atoms in a moving optical lattice with high controllability are a feasible platform to research the transport phenomenon. Here, we study the transport process of ultracold atoms at the
D band in a one-dimensional optical lattice and manipulate the transport of superposition states with different superposition weights of
S-band and
D-band atoms. In the experiment, we first load ultracold atoms into an optical lattice using the shortcut method and then accelerate the optical lattice by scanning the phase of lattice beams. The atomic transport at the
D band and
S band is demonstrated, respectively. The group velocity of atoms at the
D band is opposite to that at the
S band. By preparing superposition states with different superposition weights of the
D-band and
S-band atoms, we realize the manipulation of atomic group velocity from positive to negative, and observe the quantum interference between atoms at different bands. The influence of the lattice depth and acceleration on the transport process is also studied. Moreover, the multiorbital simulations are coincident with the experimental results. Our paper sheds light on the transport process of ultracold atoms at higher bands in optical lattices and provides a useful method to manipulate the transport of atomic superposition states.