Session A45: Focus Session: Exploring Quantum Phases in Cold Atom Systems

8:00 AM–11:00 AM, Monday, March 21, 2011
Room: A310

Sponsoring Unit: DAMOP
Chair: Congjun Wu, University of California, San Diego

Abstract ID: BAPS.2011.MAR.A45.5

Abstract: A45.00005 : Criticality in Trapped Atomic Systems

9:12 AM–9:24 AM

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Authors:

  Nikolay Prokofiev
    (Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

  Boris Svistunov
    (Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst)

  Lode Pollet
    (Theoretische Physik, ETH Zurich)

We discuss generic limits posed by the trap in atomic systems on the accurate determination of critical parameters for second-order phase transitions, from which we deduce optimal protocols to extract them. We show that under current experimental conditions the in-situ density profiles are barely suitable for an accurate study of critical points in the strongly correlated regime. Contrary to recent claims, the proper analysis of time-of-fight images yields critical parameters accurately. L. POllet, N. Prokof'ev, and B. Svistunov, Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 245705 (2010).

To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2011.MAR.A45.5