Landau levels of cold atoms in non-Abelian gauge fields

TL;DR

This paper explores how non-Abelian gauge fields influence Landau levels in cold atomic gases, revealing unique spectral and density effects, and proposes feasible laser schemes to generate such fields experimentally.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of non-Abelian Landau levels and introduces practical laser configurations for their realization in cold atom systems.

Findings

Non-Abelian gauge fields alter the energy spectrum of cold atoms.

Distinct density distribution effects are identified due to non-Abelian fields.

Feasible laser schemes are proposed for experimental implementation.

Abstract

The Landau levels of cold atomic gases in non-Abelian gauge fields are analyzed. In particular we identify effects on the energy spectrum and density distribution which are purely due to the non-Abelian character of the fields. We investigate in detail non-Abelian generalizations of both the Landau and the symmetric gauge. Finally, we discuss how these non-Abelian Landau and symmetric gauges may be generated by means of realistically feasible lasers in a tripod scheme.