Commensurability effects for fermionic atoms trapped in 1D optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper investigates how fermionic atoms in 1D optical lattices exhibit commensurability effects, revealing coexistence of different phases and demonstrating control over atomic density waves via trap-lattice interactions.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of spatial coexistence of commensurable and incommensurable phases and shows how trap-lattice commensurability controls density wave amplitudes.

Findings

Coexistence of commensurable and incommensurable phases in 1D optical lattices.

Control of atomic density wave amplitude through trap-lattice commensurability.

Strong interplay between atomic density waves and lattice potential effects.

Abstract

Fermionic atoms in two different hyperfine states confined in optical lattices show strong commensurability effects due to the interplay between the atomic density wave (ADW) ordering and the lattice potential. We show that spatially separated regions of commensurable and incommensurable phases can coexist. The commensurability between the harmonic trap and the lattice sites can be used to control the amplitude of the atomic density waves in the central region of the trap.