Session Q31: Focus Session: Quantum Simulation using AMO Systems
11:15 AM–2:15 PM, Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Room: E141
Sponsoring Unit:
DAMOP
Chair: Victor Gurarie, University of Colorado
Abstract ID: BAPS.2010.MAR.Q31.1
Abstract: Q31.00001 : In Situ Observation of Quantum Phase Transition and Quantum Dynamics in Optical Lattices
11:15 AM–11:51 AM
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Author:
Cheng Chin
(University of Chicago)
Ultracold atoms in optical lattices constitute one of the cleanest systems for the realizations of quantum phase transition, a phase transition that occurs even at zero temperature. By tuning the optical lattice depth or the interaction between cold atoms, a weakly-interacting superfluid of atoms can be converted into a strongly correlated Mott insulator. Near the phase boundary, quantum criticality, resembling that of Ising-type magnetic systems in higher dimensions, is expected to emerge with a full universal behavior. Our in situ imaging technique for atoms in 2D optical lattices provides a powerful tool to capture the full quantum state of the many-body system, from the microscopic statistics of site occupancy to the macroscopic thermodynamics. I will describe our efforts to identify the superfluid-Mott insulator phase boundary, to extract thermodynamic evolution time scales, and also future prospects to study quantum criticality based on density profiles of atoms in optical lattices.
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2010.MAR.Q31.1