Synthetic Spin-Orbit Coupling in Two-level Cold Atoms

TL;DR

This paper proposes a simple method to realize synthetic spin-orbit coupling in two-level cold atoms using a single laser beam, highlighting the non-adiabatic interaction mechanism and demonstrating effects via Zitterbewegung oscillations.

Contribution

It introduces a minimalistic, experimentally feasible approach to generate SOC in cold atoms through non-adiabatic laser-atom interactions, advancing quantum simulation capabilities.

Findings

Demonstrates SOC realization with one laser beam

Shows non-adiabatic interaction as the mechanism

Illustrates effects using Zitterbewegung oscillations

Abstract

Synthetic spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in controlled quantum systems such as cold atoms or trapped ions has been of great interest. Here we show, both theoretically and computationally, a simplest realization of SOC using two-level cold atoms interacting with only one laser beam. The underlying mechanism is based upon the non-adiabatic nature of laser-atom interaction, with the Rabi frequency and atom's kinetic energy being comparable to each other. We use the Zitterbewegung (ZB) oscillation to further illustrate the effects of the synthesized SOC on the quantum dynamics of the two-level cold atoms. We expect our proposal to be of experimental interest in quantum simulation of SOC-related physics.