Quantum critical matter has already been studied in many systems, including cold atomic gases. We report the observation of a universal behaviour of ultracold quantum critical Bose gases in a one-dimensional optical lattice. In the quantum critical region above the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition, the relative phase fluctuations between neighboring subcondensates and spatial phase fluctuations of quasi-2D subcondensates coexist. We study the density probability distribution function when both these two phase fluctuations are considered. A universal exponential density probability distribution is demonstrated experimentally, which agrees well with a simple theoretical model by considering these two phase fluctuations.Quantum critical matter has already been studied in many systems, including cold atomic gases. We report the observation of a universal behaviour of ultracold quantum critical Bose gases in a one-dimensional optical lattice. In the quantum critical region above the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transition, the relative phase fluctuations between neighboring subcondensates and spatial phase fluctuations of quasi-2D subcondensates coexist. We study the density probability distribution function when both these two phase fluctuations are considered. A universal exponential density probability distribution is demonstrated experimentally, which agrees well with a simple theoretical model by considering these two phase fluctuations.

arXiv:1007.4877Jul 28, 20100 citations

Quantum Criticality and Dynamics in Two-dimensional Bose Gases

Xibo Zhang, Li-Chung Ha, Chen-Lung Hung +2 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyJun 8, 20120 citations

PHASE TRANSITIONS IN ULTRA-COLD TWO-DIMENSIONAL BOSE GASES

David A. W. Hutchinson, P. B. Blakie

Recent Progress in Many-Body TheoriesSep 1, 20060 citations

Observation of Quantum Criticality with Ultracold Atoms in Optical Lattices

Xibo Zhang, Chen-Lung Hung, Shih-Kuang Tung +1 more

Quantum criticality emerges when a many-body system is in the proximity of a continuous phase transition that is driven by quantum fluctuations. In the quantum critical regime, exotic, yet universal properties are anticipated; ultracold atoms provide a clean system to test these predictions. We report the observation of quantum criticality with two-dimensional Bose gases in optical lattices. On the basis of in situ density measurements, we observe scaling behavior of the equation of state at low temperatures, locate the quantum critical point, and constrain the critical exponents. We observe a finite critical entropy per particle that carries a weak dependence on the atomic interaction strength. Our experiment provides a prototypical method to study quantum criticality with ultracold atoms.Quantum criticality emerges when a many-body system is in the proximity of a continuous phase transition that is driven by quantum fluctuations. In the quantum critical regime, exotic, yet universal properties are anticipated; ultracold atoms provide a clean system to test these predictions. We report the observation of quantum criticality with two-dimensional Bose gases in optical lattices. On the basis of in situ density measurements, we observe scaling behavior of the equation of state at low temperatures, locate the quantum critical point, and constrain the critical exponents. We observe a finite critical entropy per particle that carries a weak dependence on the atomic interaction strength. Our experiment provides a prototypical method to study quantum criticality with ultracold atoms.

arXiv:1109.0344ScienceFeb 17, 2012134 citations

Analytical approach to quantum phase transitions of ultracold Bose gases in bipartite optical lattices using the generalized Green’s function method

Zhi Lin, Jun Zhang, Ying Yan Jiang

In order to investigate the quantum phase transitions and the time-of-flight absorption pictures analytically in a systematic way for ultracold Bose gases in bipartite optical lattices, we present a generalized Green’s function method. Utilizing this method, we study the quantum phase transitions of ultracold Bose gases in two types of bipartite optical lattices, i.e., a hexagonal lattice with normal Bose–Hubbard interaction and a d-dimensional hypercubic optical lattice with extended Bose–Hubbard interaction. Furthermore, the time-of-flight absorption pictures of ultracold Bose gases in these two types of lattices are also calculated analytically. In hexagonal lattice, the time-of-flight interference patterns of ultracold Bose gases obtained by our analytical method are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental results of Soltan-Panahi, et al. [Nat. Phys. 7, 434 (2011)]. In square optical lattice, the emergence of peaks at $\left( { \pm \frac{\pi }{a}, \pm \frac{\pi }{a}} \right)$ in the time-of-flight absorption pictures, which is believed to be a sort of evidence of the existence of a supersolid phase, is clearly seen when the system enters the compressible phase from charge-density-wave phase.In order to investigate the quantum phase transitions and the time-of-flight absorption pictures analytically in a systematic way for ultracold Bose gases in bipartite optical lattices, we present a generalized Green’s function method. Utilizing this method, we study the quantum phase transitions of ultracold Bose gases in two types of bipartite optical lattices, i.e., a hexagonal lattice with normal Bose–Hubbard interaction and a d-dimensional hypercubic optical lattice with extended Bose–Hubbard interaction. Furthermore, the time-of-flight absorption pictures of ultracold Bose gases in these two types of lattices are also calculated analytically. In hexagonal lattice, the time-of-flight interference patterns of ultracold Bose gases obtained by our analytical method are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental results of Soltan-Panahi, et al. [Nat. Phys. 7, 434 (2011)]. In square optical lattice, the emergence of peaks at $$\left( { \pm \frac{\pi }{a}, \pm \frac{\pi }{a}} \right)$$ in the time-of-flight absorption pictures, which is believed to be a sort of evidence of the existence of a supersolid phase, is clearly seen when the system enters the compressible phase from charge-density-wave phase.

Frontiers of PhysicsMar 22, 20182 citations

Exploring classical and quantum criticality in two-dimensional quantum gases

Chen-Lung Hung, Xibo Zhang, Li-Chung Ha +3 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 21, 20110 citations

\left( { \pm \frac{\pi }{a}, \pm \frac{\pi }{a}} \right)

in the time-of-flight absorption pictures, which is believed to be a sort of evidence of the existence of a supersolid phase, is clearly seen when the system enters the compressible phase from charge-density-wave phase.