Matter-wave microscopy of ultracold atoms in tunable optical lattices

IQOQI Quantum Seminar

Ultracold atoms in optical lattices from a versatile and well-controlledexperimental platform for quantum simulation of solid-state physics. Withtypical lattice constants below one micrometer, optical resolution ofindividual lattice sites remains, however, technologically demanding. Here, Iwill present an imaging approach where matter wave optics magnifies the densitydistribution before standard optical absorption imaging, allowing an effectiveresolution well below the lattice spacing as well as 2D imaging of extended 3Dsystems [1]. We use this real-space access for precision studies of the BECphase transition as well as the observation of a density wave, whichspontaneously breaks the discrete translational symmetry of the system afterthe sudden application of a tilt [2]. I will also discuss the newmultifrequency scheme for our hexagonal optical lattice, which allows for fastand intrinsically stable control of the lattice geometry [3]. The methods openthe path to exciting opportunities such as real-space studies of topologicalproperties, orbital physics, or coherence properties.

References
[1] L. Asteria et al., Nature 599, 571-575 (2021).
[2] H. P. Zahn et al., Phys. Rev. X 12, 021014 (2022).
[3] M. Kosch et al., Phys. Rev. Research 4, 043083 (2022).

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