Simulating quantum-optical phenomena with cold atoms in optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper proposes using cold atoms in optical lattices to simulate quantum-optical phenomena, enabling observation of effects like superradiance and modeling complex many-body Hamiltonians with current technology.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scheme connecting trapped and free atoms via Raman processes to emulate quantum-optical systems and many-body models.

Findings

Demonstrates how to observe superradiance and directional emission.

Shows simulation of Bose-Hubbard and Ising models with long-range interactions.

Proposes a feasible experimental setup with current technology.

Abstract

We propose a scheme involving cold atoms trapped in optical lattices to observe different phenomena traditionally linked to quantum-optical systems. The basic idea consists of connecting the trapped atomic state to a non-trapped state through a Raman scheme. The coupling between these two types of atoms (trapped and free) turns out to be similar to that describing light-matter interaction within the rotating-wave approximation, the role of matter and photons being played by the trapped and free atoms, respectively. We explain in particular how to observe phenomena arising from the collective spontaneous emission of atomic and harmonic oscillator samples such as superradiance and directional emission. We also show how the same setup can simulate Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonians with extended hopping as well as Ising models with long-range interactions. We believe that this system can be realized with state of the art technology.