Engineering topological phases in lattices with ultracold atoms carrying orbital angular momentum

Tunnelling is one of the paradigms of quantum mechanics and its control in the context of ultracold neutral atoms has been, recently, a topic of intense research. In this seminar, we will show that in systems of ultracold atoms carrying orbital angular momentum loaded in certain lattice geometries complex tunnelling amplitudes appear naturally and allow to engineer topological phases. First, we will introduce the single-particle problem in two and three rings coupled side by side [1], which gives us a foundation to describe arbitrary coplanar lattices of identical rings. Then, after introducing some basic concepts about topology, we will sketch two examples of the engineering of topological phases in different systems [2]. Namely, we will introduce a diamond lattice, both in the single-particle limit and in the presence of interactions for the two-body case and a one-dimensional staggered lattice of rings.

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[1] J. Polo, J. Mompart and V. Ahufinger, Geometrically induced complex tunnelings for ultracold atoms carrying orbital angular momentum. Phys. Rev. A 93, 033613 (2016).

[2] E.Nicolau, G. Pelegrı́, J. Polo, A. M. Marques, A. Daley, J. Mompart, R. G. Dias and V. Ahufinger, Ultracold atoms carrying orbital angular momentum: engineering topological phases in lattices. Europhysics Letters (invited perspective article) 145, 35001 (2024).

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This is a hybrid event:
Room D, the Institute of Physics PAS, Al. Lotników 32/46

Online: Zoom Link, (Passcode: 134595, Meeting ID: 823 8038 0442)

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