We propose an approach to study the topological properties of matter. In this approach, fermionic atoms are placed in an external magnetic field and in a two-dimensional spin-dependent optical lattice (SDOL) created by intersecting laser beams with a superposition of polarizations. To demonstrate the utility of the SDOL-based technique we compute the topological invariants (Chern numbers) for the SDOL bands as a function of an external magnetic field and show the existence of a rich topology of the energy bands for this system which does not have parity-time-reversal symmetry. We explicitly consider $^{6}\mathrm{Li}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}F=1/2$ atoms. Using a projection matrix method we observe topological phase transitions among an ordinary insulator, an Abelian topological insulator, and a non-Abelian topological insulator as the external magnetic field strength is varied. On introducing edges for the SDOL we find topological edge states (that are correlated with the band Chern numbers) that simultaneously exhibit nontrivial density and spin currents with both a rotational flow contribution and flow along the edge of the SDOL.We propose an approach to study the topological properties of matter. In this approach, fermionic atoms are placed in an external magnetic field and in a two-dimensional spin-dependent optical lattice (SDOL) created by intersecting laser beams with a superposition of polarizations. To demonstrate the utility of the SDOL-based technique we compute the topological invariants (Chern numbers) for the SDOL bands as a function of an external magnetic field and show the existence of a rich topology of the energy bands for this system which does not have parity-time-reversal symmetry. We explicitly consider $^{6}\mathrm{Li}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}F=1/2$ atoms. Using a projection matrix method we observe topological phase transitions among an ordinary insulator, an Abelian topological insulator, and a non-Abelian topological insulator as the external magnetic field strength is varied. On introducing edges for the SDOL we find topological edge states (that are correlated with the band Chern numbers) that simultaneously exhibit nontrivial density and spin currents with both a rotational flow contribution and flow along the edge of the SDOL.

arXiv:2308.07647Physical review. B./Physical review. BNov 25, 20241 citation

Interacting Fermions in Optical Lattices

Tilman Esslinger

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 19, 20050 citations

A Closer Look at Fermions in Optical Lattices

Daniel Pertot, Luke Miller, Eugenio Cocchi +5 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyJun 4, 20140 citations

^{6}\mathrm{Li}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}F=1/2

atoms. Using a projection matrix method we observe topological phase transitions among an ordinary insulator, an Abelian topological insulator, and a non-Abelian topological insulator as the external magnetic field strength is varied. On introducing edges for the SDOL we find topological edge states (that are correlated with the band Chern numbers) that simultaneously exhibit nontrivial density and spin currents with both a rotational flow contribution and flow along the edge of the SDOL.