A fermionic simulator with ultracold atoms in engineered optical potentials

Thomas Chalopin, Petar Bojović, Dominik Bourgund +4 more

Quantum simulations of Hubbard models with ultracold atoms rely on the exceptional control of coherent motion provided by optical lattices. Here we demonstrate enhanced tunability using an optical superlattice in a fermionic quantum gas microscope, evidenced by long-lived coherent double-well oscillations, next-nearest-neighbor quantum walks in a staggered configuration, and correlated quantum walks of two particles initiated through a resonant pair-breaking mechanism. We furthermore demonstrate tunable spin couplings through local offsets and engineer a spin ladder with ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic couplings along the rungs and legs, respectively. Our Letter underscores the high potential of optical superlattices for engineering, simulating, and detecting strongly correlated many-body quantum states, with direct applications ranging from the study of mixed-dimensional systems to fermionic quantum computing.

M. Inguscio

Florian Schäfer, Takeshi Fukuhara, Seiji Sugawa +2 more

Rahul Das (22607879)

This work presents the designing various components of a Magneto-Optical Trap and simulations of ultracold lithium atoms. Key experimental components include a magnetic-field compensator, and RF antenna integrated with a Python-based GUI control system. Complementary simulations model atom dynamics in a harmonic potential and cloud evolution under quenches, outlining pathways toward achieving a Bose–Einstein condensate. Together, these results demonstrate improved stability and efficiency in ultracold atom control.

Jae-yoon Choi

Ruichao Ma

In this thesis, I present experiments on making and probing strongly correlated gases of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice with engineered potentials and dynamics. The quantum gas microscope first developed in our lab enables single-site resolution imaging and manipulation of atoms in a two-dimensional lattice, offering an ideal platform for quantum simulation of condensed matter systems. Here we demonstrate our abilities to generate optical potential with high precision and high resolution, and engineer coherent dynamics using photon assisted tunneling. We also create a system of bilayer quantum gases that brings new imaging capabilities and extends the possible range of our quantum simulation.