Composite Fermion Theory for Bosonic Atoms in Optical Lattices

TL;DR

This paper explores novel strongly correlated quantum Hall phases of bosonic atoms in optical lattices using a composite fermion approach, predicting new phases not seen in continuum systems.

Contribution

It introduces a composite fermion theory for bosonic atoms in optical lattices and demonstrates the existence of unique quantum Hall phases beyond continuum models.

Findings

Prediction of new quantum Hall phases in optical lattices

Numerical validation of composite fermion wavefunctions

Evidence for broader applicability of the composite fermion approach

Abstract

We study the groundstates of cold atomic gases on rotating optical lattices, as described by the Bose-Hubbard model in a uniform effective magnetic field. Mapping the bosons to composite fermions leads to the prediction of quantum Hall fluids that have no counterpart in the continuum. We construct trial wavefunctions for these phases, and perform numerical tests of the predictions of the composite fermion model. Our results establish the existence of strongly correlated phases beyond those in the continuum limit, and provide evidence for a wider scope of the composite fermion approach beyond its application to the lowest Landau-level.