Probing strongly correlated quantum systems with single-atom resolution

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• Stefan Kuhr (Strathclyde)
• Friday 10 February 2012, 14:00-15:00
• Physics East 217.

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Ultracold atoms in optical lattices are a versatile tool to investigate fundamental properties of quantum many body systems. We demonstrate how the control of such systems can be extended down to the most fundamental level of single atomic spins at specific lattice sites. Using a high-resolution optical imaging system, we were able to obtain fluorescence images of strongly interacting bosonic Mott insulators with single-atom and single-site resolution [1] and addressed the atomic spins with sub-diffraction-limited resolution [2]. In addition, we directly monitored the tunneling quantum dynamics of single atoms in the lattice, and observed quantum-correlated particle-hole pairs [3] and spreading of correlations after a parameter quench [4], and the quantum dynamics of spin-impurities. Our results open the path to a wide range of novel applications from observation of entropy transport, implementation of novel cooling schemes, and engineering of quantum many-body phases to quantum information processing.

[1] J. F. Sherson, C. Weitenberg, M. Endres, M. Cheneau, I. Bloch, S. Kuhr, Single-atom-resolved fluorescence imaging of an atomic Mott insulator, Nature 467, 68 (2010).

[2] C. Weitenberg, M. Endres, J. F. Sherson, M. Cheneau, P. Schauß, T. Fukuhara, I.Bloch, S. Kuhr, Single-spin addressing in an atomic Mott insulator, Nature 471, 319 (2011).

[3] M. Endres, M. Cheneau, T. Fukuhara, C. Weitenberg, P. Schauß, C. Gross, L. Mazza, M.C. Banuls, L. Pollet, I. Bloch, S. Kuhr, Observation of Correlated Particle-Hole Pairs and String Order in Low-Dimensional Mott Insulators, Science 334, 200 (2011).

[4] M. Cheneau, P. Barmettler, D. Poletti, M. Endres, P. Schauß, T. Fukuhara, C. Gross, I. Bloch, C. Kollath, S. Kuhr, Light-cone-like spreading of correlations in a quantum many-body system, Nature 481, 484 (2012).

This talk is part of the Cold Atoms series.

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