Condensed Matter Physics and Quantum Simulations with Cold Polar Molecules and Rydberg Atoms

J. P. Hague, S. Downes, C. MacCormick +1 more

P. W. Zhao, Gang Chen

The mutual feedback between quantum condensed matter and cold atom physics has been quite fruitful throughout history and continues to inspire ongoing research. Motivated by the recent activities on the quantum simulation of topological orders among the ultracold Rydberg atom arrays, we consider the possibility of searching for topological orders among the dipolar quantum magnets and polar molecules with a kagome lattice geometry. Together with other quantum interactions such as the transverse field, the dipolar interaction endows the kagome system with a similar structure as the Balents-Fisher-Girvin model and thus fosters the emergence of the \mathbb{Z}_2 ℤ 2 topological orders. We construct a \mathbb{Z}_2 ℤ 2 lattice gauge theory to access the topological ordered phase and describe the spinon and vison excitations for the \mathbb{Z}_2 ℤ 2 topological orders. We explain the spectroscopic consequences for various quantum phases as well as the experimental detection. We further discuss the rare-earth kagome magnets, ultracold polar molecules, and cluster Mott insulators for the physical realization.

P. Pillet, Thomas F. Gallagher

Abstract Cold Rydberg atoms provide novel approaches to many-body problems and quantum simulation. To introduce the recent work presented in this special issue, we present here a quick history of a half-century research activity in the Rydberg-atom field, focusing our attention on the giant interactions between Rydberg atoms and other atoms. These interactions are the origin of many effects observed with Rydberg atoms: pressure shifts, dipole–dipole energy transfer, and avalanche-ionization. These effects have led to evidence of new bound chemical states, such as trilobites states, many-body effects in frozen Rydberg gases, and the spontaneous formation of ultra-cold plasmas. They open exciting new prospects at the intersection of atomic physics, condensed matter physics, and plasma physics.

Ana María Rey

École d'été de physique théorique, Ch Salomon, Gora V. Shlyapnikov +1 more

1. Strongly correlated bosons and fermions in optical lattices 2. Ultracold Atoms in Optical Lattices 3. Few-atom problem 4. Entanglement in many-body quantum systems 5. Quantum Hall States of Ultracold Atomic Gases 6. Theory of dipolar gases 7. Ultracold Polar Molecules 8. Ultra-cold Fermi gases as quantum simulators of condensed matter physics 9. Competing instabilities in quench experiments with ultracold Fermi gases near a Feshbach resonance 10. Anderson localization of ultra-cold atoms in a laser speckle

Hui Zhai