This thesis proposes conceptually new ways to realize materials with topological properties by using dipole-dipole interactions. First, we study a system of ultracold dipolar fermions, where the relaxation mechanism of dipolar spins can be used to reach the quantum Hall regime. Second, in a system of polar molecules in an optical lattice, dipole-dipole interactions induce spin-orbit coupling terms for the rotational excitations. In combination with time-reversal symmetry breaking this leads to topological bands with Chern numbers greater than one.This thesis proposes conceptually new ways to realize materials with topological properties by using dipole-dipole interactions. First, we study a system of ultracold dipolar fermions, where the relaxation mechanism of dipolar spins can be used to reach the quantum Hall regime. Second, in a system of polar molecules in an optical lattice, dipole-dipole interactions induce spin-orbit coupling terms for the rotational excitations. In combination with time-reversal symmetry breaking this leads to topological bands with Chern numbers greater than one.

Jan 1, 20155 citations

Bound states of interacting polar molecules in an optical lattice

Thomas M. Hanna, Eite Tiesinga, William James Mitchell +1 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyJun 14, 20112 citations

Spin Superfluidity versus Solidity of Ultracold Polar Molecules

Hongyi Yu, Weijian Liu, Chaohong Lee

We present a technique for engineering quantum magnets via ultracold polar molecules in optical lattices and explore exotic interplay between its spin superfluidity and solidity. The molecular ground and first excited rotational states are resonantly coupled by a linearly polarized microwave field. The spin-up (spin-down) states are presented by molecular rotational states of electric dipole moment along (against) the coupling field. By controlling the angle between the lattice direction and the coupling field, the inter-site interaction can be tuned from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic. Furthermore, the dipole-dipole interaction induces an exotic interplay between spin superfluidity and solidity, and spin supersolid phases may appear in mediate regions.We present a technique for engineering quantum magnets via ultracold polar molecules in optical lattices and explore exotic interplay between its spin superfluidity and solidity. The molecular ground and first excited rotational states are resonantly coupled by a linearly polarized microwave field. The spin-up (spin-down) states are presented by molecular rotational states of electric dipole moment along (against) the coupling field. By controlling the angle between the lattice direction and the coupling field, the inter-site interaction can be tuned from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic. Furthermore, the dipole-dipole interaction induces an exotic interplay between spin superfluidity and solidity, and spin supersolid phases may appear in mediate regions.

arXiv:0910.4922Oct 26, 20090 citations

Controlling collective rotational excitations of polar molecules in optical lattices

Felipe Herrera, Marina Litinskaya, Roman V. Krems

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 28, 20100 citations

Entangling dipole-dipole interactions with neutral atoms in an optical lattice

Gavin K. Brennen

Dec 1, 20010 citations

Controlling polar molecules in optical lattices

Svetlana Kotochigova, Eite Tiesinga

We theoretically investigate the interaction of polar molecules with optical lattices and microwave fields. We demonstrate the existence of frequency windows in the optical domain where the complex internal structure of the molecule does not influence the trapping potential of the lattice. In such frequency windows the Franck-Condon factors are so small that near-resonant interaction of vibrational levels of the molecule with the lattice fields have a negligible contribution to the polarizability, and light-induced decoherences are kept to a minimum. In addition, we show that microwave fields can induce a tunable dipole-dipole interaction between ground-state rotationally symmetric $(J=0)$ molecules. A combination of a carefully chosen lattice frequency and microwave-controlled interaction between molecules will enable trapping of polar molecules in a lattice and possibly realize molecular quantum logic gates. Our results are based on ab initio relativistic electronic structure calculations of the polar KRb and RbCs molecules combined with calculations of their rovibrational motion.We theoretically investigate the interaction of polar molecules with optical lattices and microwave fields. We demonstrate the existence of frequency windows in the optical domain where the complex internal structure of the molecule does not influence the trapping potential of the lattice. In such frequency windows the Franck-Condon factors are so small that near-resonant interaction of vibrational levels of the molecule with the lattice fields have a negligible contribution to the polarizability, and light-induced decoherences are kept to a minimum. In addition, we show that microwave fields can induce a tunable dipole-dipole interaction between ground-state rotationally symmetric $(J=0)$ molecules. A combination of a carefully chosen lattice frequency and microwave-controlled interaction between molecules will enable trapping of polar molecules in a lattice and possibly realize molecular quantum logic gates. Our results are based on ab initio relativistic electronic structure calculations of the polar KRb and RbCs molecules combined with calculations of their rovibrational motion.

arXiv:quant-ph/0602017Physical Review AApr 17, 200674 citations

(J=0)

molecules. A combination of a carefully chosen lattice frequency and microwave-controlled interaction between molecules will enable trapping of polar molecules in a lattice and possibly realize molecular quantum logic gates. Our results are based on ab initio relativistic electronic structure calculations of the polar KRb and RbCs molecules combined with calculations of their rovibrational motion.