Engineering Z2 lattice gauge theories with a strongly interacting atomic mixture
DIPC Seminars
- Speaker
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Luca Barbiero, Université Libre de Bruxelles
- When
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2019/10/02
14:00 - Place
- Donostia International Physics Center
- Add to calendar
-
iCal
In this talk I will show how quantized dynamical gauge fields can be created
in mixtures of strongly interacting ultracold atoms in optical lattices.
Specifically, I will discuss a protocol by which atoms of one species carry a
magnetic flux felt by an other species, hence realizing an instance of flux-
attachment. This is obtained by combining coherent lattice modulation
techniques with strong Hubbard interactions. I will show that this protocol
has been experimentally implemented in a double-well potential thus realizing
a first building block of a true Z2 lattice gauge theory. Moreover I will
discuss how this setting can be arranged so as to implement lattice models
displaying a Z2 gauge symmetry, both in one and two dimensions. Finally I will
also present a detailed analysis of a ladder toy model, which features a
global Z2 symmetry, and reveal the phase transitions that occur both in the
matter and gauge sectors. Mastering flux-attachment in optical lattices
envisages a new route towards the realization of strongly-correlated systems
with properties dictated by an interplay of dynamical matter and gauge fields.
Host: Roman Orus