We analyze theoretically polar molecules confined in planar arrays of one-dimensional tubes. In the classical limit, if the number of tubes is finite, new types of ``clustered Wigner crystals'' with increasingly many molecules per unit cell can be stabilized by tuning the in-plane angle between the dipolar moments and the tube direction. Quantum mechanically these phases melt into distinct ``clustered Luttinger liquids.'' We calculate the phase diagram of the system and study the quantum melting of the clustered phases. We find that the requirements for exploring these phases are reachable in current experiments and discuss possible experimental signatures.We analyze theoretically polar molecules confined in planar arrays of one-dimensional tubes. In the classical limit, if the number of tubes is finite, new types of ``clustered Wigner crystals'' with increasingly many molecules per unit cell can be stabilized by tuning the in-plane angle between the dipolar moments and the tube direction. Quantum mechanically these phases melt into distinct ``clustered Luttinger liquids.'' We calculate the phase diagram of the system and study the quantum melting of the clustered phases. We find that the requirements for exploring these phases are reachable in current experiments and discuss possible experimental signatures.

arXiv:1112.5662Physical Review BAug 1, 201237 citations

A driven three-dimensional electric lattice for polar molecules

Hengjiao Guo, Yabing Ji, Qing Liu +3 more

Three-dimensional (3D) driven optical lattices have attained great attention for their wide applications in the quest to engineer new and exotic quantum phases. Here we propose a 3D driven electric lattice (3D-DEL) for cold polar molecules as a natural extension. Our 3D electric lattice is composed of a series of thin metal plates in which two-dimensional square hole arrays are distributed. When suitable modulated voltages are applied to these metal plates, a 3D potential well array for polar molecules can be generated and can move smoothly back and forth in the lattice. Thus, it can drive cold polar molecules confined in the 3D electric lattice. Theoretical analyses and trajectory calculations using two types of molecules, ND 3 and PbF, are performed to justify the possibility of our scheme. The 3D-DEL offers a platform for investigating cold molecules in periodic driven potentials, such as quantum computing science, quantum information processing, and some other possible applications amenable to the driven optical lattices.Three-dimensional (3D) driven optical lattices have attained great attention for their wide applications in the quest to engineer new and exotic quantum phases. Here we propose a 3D driven electric lattice (3D-DEL) for cold polar molecules as a natural extension. Our 3D electric lattice is composed of a series of thin metal plates in which two-dimensional square hole arrays are distributed. When suitable modulated voltages are applied to these metal plates, a 3D potential well array for polar molecules can be generated and can move smoothly back and forth in the lattice. Thus, it can drive cold polar molecules confined in the 3D electric lattice. Theoretical analyses and trajectory calculations using two types of molecules, ND 3 and PbF, are performed to justify the possibility of our scheme. The 3D-DEL offers a platform for investigating cold molecules in periodic driven potentials, such as quantum computing science, quantum information processing, and some other possible applications amenable to the driven optical lattices.

Frontiers of PhysicsJul 16, 20223 citations

Chip-based microtrap arrays for cold polar molecules

Shunyong Hou, Bin Wei, Lianzhong Deng +1 more

Compared to the atomic chip, which has been a powerful platform to perform an astonishing range of applications from rapid Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) production to the atomic clock, the molecular chip is only in its infant stages. Recently a one-dimensional electric lattice was demonstrated to trap polar molecules on a chip. This excellent work opens up the way to building a molecular chip laboratory. Here we propose a two-dimensional (2D) electric lattice on a chip with concise and robust structure, which is formed by arrays of squared gold wires. Arrays of microtraps that originate in the microsize electrodes offer a steep gradient and thus allow for confining both light and heavy polar molecules. Theoretical analysis and numerical calculations are performed using two types of sample molecules, $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ and SrF, to justify the possibility of our proposal. The height of the minima of the potential wells is about 10 \ensuremath{\mu}m above the surface of the chip and can be easily adjusted in a wide range by changing the voltages applied on the electrodes. These microtraps offer intriguing perspectives for investigating cold molecules in periodic potentials, such as quantum computing science, low-dimensional physics, and some other possible applications amenable to magnetic or optical lattice. The 2D adjustable electric lattice is expected to act as a building block for a future gas-phase molecular chip laboratory.Compared to the atomic chip, which has been a powerful platform to perform an astonishing range of applications from rapid Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) production to the atomic clock, the molecular chip is only in its infant stages. Recently a one-dimensional electric lattice was demonstrated to trap polar molecules on a chip. This excellent work opens up the way to building a molecular chip laboratory. Here we propose a two-dimensional (2D) electric lattice on a chip with concise and robust structure, which is formed by arrays of squared gold wires. Arrays of microtraps that originate in the microsize electrodes offer a steep gradient and thus allow for confining both light and heavy polar molecules. Theoretical analysis and numerical calculations are performed using two types of sample molecules, $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{D}}_{3}$ and SrF, to justify the possibility of our proposal. The height of the minima of the potential wells is about 10 \ensuremath{\mu}m above the surface of the chip and can be easily adjusted in a wide range by changing the voltages applied on the electrodes. These microtraps offer intriguing perspectives for investigating cold molecules in periodic potentials, such as quantum computing science, low-dimensional physics, and some other possible applications amenable to magnetic or optical lattice. The 2D adjustable electric lattice is expected to act as a building block for a future gas-phase molecular chip laboratory.

Physical Review ADec 20, 201710 citations

Cold collisions between linear polar molecules

Masatoshi Kajita

The European Physical Journal DJun 1, 200324 citations

\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{D}}_{3}

and SrF, to justify the possibility of our proposal. The height of the minima of the potential wells is about 10 \ensuremath{\mu}m above the surface of the chip and can be easily adjusted in a wide range by changing the voltages applied on the electrodes. These microtraps offer intriguing perspectives for investigating cold molecules in periodic potentials, such as quantum computing science, low-dimensional physics, and some other possible applications amenable to magnetic or optical lattice. The 2D adjustable electric lattice is expected to act as a building block for a future gas-phase molecular chip laboratory.