Host: Dr. Tsyr-Yan Yu 余慈顏博士
Abstract: Simulating quantum effects with a well-engineered analogue system has been a powerful concept, especially when the experimental parameters could be tuned with higher precision and wider range compared to the natural condition. In particular, ultracold atoms manipulated with laser fields have proven to be an excellent system to mimic condense matter phenomena. In this talk, I will present a new approach to synthesize spin-orbit coupling interactions within a Bose-Einstein condensate trapped in standing waves of light [1]. This system has enabled us to directly observe an exotic quantum phase with supersolid properties [2], where its existence has been contemplated over decades. Our work establishes a system with unique continuous symmetry breaking properties. Moving forward, further investigations on collective excitations and the role of disorder in these systems may push our understandings of synthetic quantum materials.
References
[1] J. Li, W. Huang, B. Shteynas, S. Burchesky, F.Ç. Top, E. Su, J. Lee, A.O. Jamison, and W. Ketterle, Spin-orbit coupling and spin textures in optical superlattices, Physical Review Letters 117 (18), 185301 (2016).
[2] J.-R. Li, J. Lee, W. Huang, S. Burchesky, B. Shteynas, F.Ç. Top, A.O. Jamison, and W. Ketterle, A stripe phase with supersolid properties in spin–orbit-coupled Bose–Einstein condensates, Nature 543 (7643), 91 (2017).