Artificial Gauge Fields with Ultracold Atoms in Optical Lattices [[electronic resource] /] / by Monika Aidelsburger

• Record Nr.: UNINA9910254611903321
• Autore: Aidelsburger Monika
• Pubbl/distr/stampa: Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2016
• ISBN: 3-319-25829-X
• Edizione: [1st ed. 2016.]
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (180 p.)
• Collana: Springer Theses, Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research, , 2190-5053
• Disciplina: 599.0188
• Soggetti: Phase transformations (Statistical physics); Condensed materials; Low temperature physics; Low temperatures; Quantum computers; Spintronics; Quantum Gases and Condensates; Low Temperature Physics; Quantum Information Technology, Spintronics
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Note generali: "Doctoral Thesis accepted by Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany."
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters.
• Nota di contenuto: Introduction -- Square Lattice with Magnetic field -- Artificial Gauge Fields with Laser-Assisted Tunneling -- Overview of the Experimental Setup and Measurement Techniques -- Staggered Magnetic Flux -- Harper-Hofstadter Model and Spin Hall Effect -- All-Optical Setup for Flux Rectification -- Chern-Number Measurement of Hofstadter Bands -- Conclusions and Outlook.
• Sommario/riassunto: This work reports on the generation of artificial magnetic fields with ultracold atoms in optical lattices using laser-assisted tunneling, as well as on the first Chern-number measurement in a non-electronic system. It starts with an introduction to the Hofstadter model, which describes the dynamics of charged particles on a square lattice subjected to strong magnetic fields. This model exhibits energy bands ; with non-zero topological invariants called Chern numbers, a property that is at the origin of the quantum Hall effect. The main part of the work discusses the realization of analog systems with ultracold neutral atoms using laser-assisted-tunneling techniques both from a theoretical and experimental point of view. Staggered, homogeneous and spin-dependent flux distributions are generated and characterized using two-dimensional optical super-lattice potentials. Additionally their topological properties are studied via the observation of bulk topological currents. The experimental techniques presented here offer a unique setting for studying topologically non-trivial systems with ultracold atoms.