Two-orbital SU(N) magnetism with ultracold alkaline-earth atoms

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how ultracold alkaline-earth atoms in optical lattices can simulate complex many-body systems with high SU(N) symmetry and spin-orbital interactions, offering insights into strongly correlated materials.

Contribution

It introduces a method to realize high-symmetry SU(N) quantum simulators with alkaline-earth atoms, enabling exploration of spin-orbital physics and correlated phenomena.

Findings

SU(N) symmetry with N up to 10 achieved in optical lattices

Implementation of spin-orbital interactions using stable excited states

Potential to simulate complex condensed matter systems

Abstract

Fermionic alkaline-earth atoms have unique properties that make them attractive candidates for the realization of novel atomic clocks and degenerate quantum gases. At the same time, they are attracting considerable theoretical attention in the context of quantum information processing. Here we demonstrate that when such atoms are loaded in optical lattices, they can be used as quantum simulators of unique many-body phenomena. In particular, we show that the decoupling of the nuclear spin from the electronic angular momentum can be used to implement many-body systems with an unprecedented degree of symmetry, characterized by the SU(N) group with N as large as 10. Moreover, the interplay of the nuclear spin with the electronic degree of freedom provided by a stable optically excited state allows for the study of spin-orbital physics. Such systems may provide valuable insights into strongly correlated physics of transition metal oxides, heavy fermion materials, and spin liquid phases.