Spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein condensates in a one-dimensional optical lattice

TL;DR

This paper experimentally investigates the dispersion relation of a spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein condensate in a one-dimensional optical lattice, revealing insights into its stability and band structure, with implications for quantum simulation.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental measurement of the dispersion relation and band edges of spin-orbit coupled BECs in a lattice, enhancing understanding of their dynamical stability.

Findings

Observation of dynamical stability regions

Development of an effective band structure model

Identification of band edges in the dispersion relation

Abstract

The realization of artificial gauge fields and spin-orbit coupling for ultra-cold quantum gases promises new insight into paradigm solid state systems. Here we experimentally probe the dispersion relation of a spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein condensate loaded into a translating optical lattice by observing its dynamical stability, and develop an effective band structure that provides a theoretical understanding of the locations of the band edges. This system presents exciting new opportunities for engineering condensed-matter analogs using the flexible toolbox of ultra-cold quantum gases.