In this review, we discuss the physics of spin-orbit coupled quantum gases in optical lattices. After reviewing some relevant experimental techniques, we introduce the basic theoretical model and discuss some of its generic features. In particular, we concentrate on the interplay between spin-orbit coupling and strong interactions and show how it leads to various exotic quantum phases in both the Mott insulating and superfluid regimes. Phase transitions between the Mott and superfluid states are also discussed.In this review, we discuss the physics of spin-orbit coupled quantum gases in optical lattices. After reviewing some relevant experimental techniques, we introduce the basic theoretical model and discuss some of its generic features. In particular, we concentrate on the interplay between spin-orbit coupling and strong interactions and show how it leads to various exotic quantum phases in both the Mott insulating and superfluid regimes. Phase transitions between the Mott and superfluid states are also discussed.

arXiv:1411.2297Annual review of cold atoms and moleculesMar 24, 201521 citations

Renewed Understanding on Doped Mott Insulators

Masatoshi Imada

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 25, 20110 citations

Ultrafast dynamics in relativistic Mott insulators

Jiajun Li, Nagamalleswararao Dasari, Martin Eckstein

We study the photoinduced ultrafast dynamics in relativistic Mott insulators, i.e., Mott insulators with strong spin-orbit coupling. For this purpose, we consider a minimal one-band Hubbard model on lattices with square and triangular symmetries, as relevant for layered transition metal compounds such as Sr $_2$ IrO $_4$ . Depending on the lattice and the spin-orbit coupling, the systems have canted antiferromagnetic or $120^\circ$ order. They are excited by simulating a short laser pulse, and the dynamics is solved using nonequilibrium dynamical mean-field theory. The pulse generates hot carriers, which subsequently perturb the magnetic order due to the coupling between the collective order and photocarriers. We find that this dynamics, which is known form regular antiferromagnets, depends sensitively on the spatial structure of the spin-orbit coupling. On the triangular lattice, in particular, relaxation times are influenced by the spin-orbit coupling for the chiral $120^\circ$ order, while on the square lattice with canted antiferromagnetic order the spin-orbit induced canting angle remains unchanged after the excitation. Our study opens up new possibilities of controlling magnetism and exotic spin states on the ultrafast timescales.We study the photoinduced ultrafast dynamics in relativistic Mott insulators, i.e., Mott insulators with strong spin-orbit coupling. For this purpose, we consider a minimal one-band Hubbard model on lattices with square and triangular symmetries, as relevant for layered transition metal compounds such as Sr$_2$IrO$_4$. Depending on the lattice and the spin-orbit coupling, the systems have canted antiferromagnetic or $120^\circ$ order. They are excited by simulating a short laser pulse, and the dynamics is solved using nonequilibrium dynamical mean-field theory. The pulse generates hot carriers, which subsequently perturb the magnetic order due to the coupling between the collective order and photocarriers. We find that this dynamics, which is known form regular antiferromagnets, depends sensitively on the spatial structure of the spin-orbit coupling. On the triangular lattice, in particular, relaxation times are influenced by the spin-orbit coupling for the chiral $120^\circ$ order, while on the square lattice with canted antiferromagnetic order the spin-orbit induced canting angle remains unchanged after the excitation. Our study opens up new possibilities of controlling magnetism and exotic spin states on the ultrafast timescales.

arXiv:2010.09253Oct 19, 20203 citations

_2

IrO

_4

. Depending on the lattice and the spin-orbit coupling, the systems have canted antiferromagnetic or

120^\circ

order. They are excited by simulating a short laser pulse, and the dynamics is solved using nonequilibrium dynamical mean-field theory. The pulse generates hot carriers, which subsequently perturb the magnetic order due to the coupling between the collective order and photocarriers. We find that this dynamics, which is known form regular antiferromagnets, depends sensitively on the spatial structure of the spin-orbit coupling. On the triangular lattice, in particular, relaxation times are influenced by the spin-orbit coupling for the chiral

120^\circ

order, while on the square lattice with canted antiferromagnetic order the spin-orbit induced canting angle remains unchanged after the excitation. Our study opens up new possibilities of controlling magnetism and exotic spin states on the ultrafast timescales.