Probing higher-order interactions with an array of double-well optical-lattice interferometers

Philip Johnson, Jennifer Sebby-Strabley, Eite Tiesinga +2 more

Trey Porto

Ai‐Xia Zhang, Ju-Kui Xue

The higher-order interactions of Bose-Einstein condensate in multi-dimensional optical lattices are discussed both analytically and numerically. It is demonstrated that the effects of the higher-order atomic interactions on the sound speed and the stabilities of Bloch waves strongly depend on the lattice strength. In the presence of higher-order effects, tighter and high-dimensional lattices are confirmed to be two positive factors for maintaining the system's energetic stability, and the dynamical instability of Bloch waves can take place simultaneously with the energetic instability. In addition, we find that the higher-order interactions exhibit a long-range behavior and the long-lived coherent Bloch oscillations in a tilted optical lattice exist. Our results provide an effective way to probe the higher-order interactions in optical lattices.

J. H. Huckans, Chad Fertig, Ian B. Spielman +2 more

Using four coherent laser beams we make two different 2D optical lattices with polarization-dependent periodicity. The lattices are coincident, and by shifting one with respect to the other, we create an array of double well potentials. We have designed a 2D optical lattice for /sup 87/Rb atoms consisting of an array of double well potentials. This lattice should allow us to test two-qubit gates and in general permit atomic control in support of nearest neighbor interaction physics such as the Ising model and quantum cellular automata.

Janek Fleper

Ultracold atoms in optical lattices provide a versatile platform for studying many-body physics in a defect-free system with tunable parameters. For the analog quantum simulation of the Fermi-Hubbard model, fermionic atoms take on the role of the valence electrons and optical lattices provide the periodic potential in place of the solid-state crystal. The dynamics in the system are described by the tunneling amplitude t between neighboring lattice sites and the interaction energy U of two particles occupying the same lattice site. With the depth of the optical lattices and an external magnetic field, both parameters can be tuned to access a wide range of regimes. Two superimposed lattices with different lattice periods form an optical superlattice, where the most common configuration is a bichromatic superlattice with lattice periods different by a factor of two. Depending on the lattice depths and the relative phase of the lattices, the bichromatic superlattice potential ranges from an array of weakly-coupled double wells to a continuous lattice potential with a staggered energy offset. We developed a calibration technique for measuring the depth of an optical lattice with local resolution. The band structure of the optical lattice is probed by modulating the lattice depth and exciting the atoms to higher bands. However, compared to resolving the band occupations in a time-of-flight measurement, we further excite the atoms to an untrapped band to deplete the optical lattice along equipotential lines where the modulation frequency is resonant with the local band transitions. From the profile of the lattice depth, we obtain the calibration factor for the power regulation, the waist of the underlying lattice beams and the position of the lattice axis. This technique combines several calibration measurements, thereby reducing the measurement time and enabling an automation of the lattice alignment. For the bichromatic superlattice we realized an active stabilization of the superlattice phase that enables long-term measurements with a precise control over the superlattice phase. The instability of the superlattice phase is a result of the different refractive indices for the two lattices in air and the optical elements along the optical path. Using environmental sensors, we monitor the temperature, the pressure, and the relative humidity to apply the expected correction to the superlattice phase. The stabilized superlattice phase enabled the investigation of Floquet-driven double wells by modulating the energy offset through the superlattice phase. We used a near-resonant driving frequency with respect to the interaction energy to enhance the pair-tunneling amplitude in doubly-occupied double wells compared to static double wells and compared to the tunneling amplitude in singly-occupied double wells.

Saurabh Paul, Eite Tiesinga