Artificial gauge field in Moiré superlattices*

Moiré superlattices, originating from rotational alignment or/and lattice constants mismatch between the individual layers, open up new strategies for engineering electronic properties [1]. Gauge fields unveil one of the most ubiquitous concepts which describes many branches of physics, ranging from the standard model to the general theory of relativity. In recent years, artificial gauge field for engineered systems extend their proven quantum simulation abilities further, e.g., to quantum Hall physics or topological insulators [2,3]. Here, we propose a method to create a tunable, artificial gauge potential in a periodically modulated Moiré superlattice. By imprinting Peierls phase on the hopping parameters between neighboring lattice sites, we present the realization of a Haldane-like model and investigate the characterization of its topological band structure. As an application, we also provide a methodology to directly measure topological order in such system from a dynamical quench process.
[1]. Y. Cao et al. Nature 556, 43 (2018)
[2]. N. R. Cooper et al. Rev. Mod. Phys. 91, 015005 (2019)
[3]. T. Ozawa et al. Rev. Mod. Phys. 91, 015006 (2019)