Landau-like states in neutral particles

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that neutral atoms in specific optical traps can exhibit Landau-like energy spectra, with spectral gaps that depend on electric field configurations, inspired by cold atom experiments and the Aharonov-Casher effect.

Contribution

It introduces a novel dispersion relation for neutral atoms confined in toroidal traps, resembling Landau levels, and explores how electric fields influence spectral gaps.

Findings

Neutral atoms can form quasi Landau spectra in optical traps.

Spectral gaps vary with electric field configurations.

The results are motivated by cold atom experimental developments.

Abstract

We show the emergence of a new type of dispersion relation for neutral atoms with an interesting similarity with the spectrum of 2-dimensional electrons in an applied perpendicular constant magnetic field. These neutral atoms can be confined in toroidal optical traps and give quasi Landau spectra. In strong contrast to the equi-distant infinitely degenerate Landau levels for charged particles, the spectral gap for such 2-dimensional neutral particles increases in particular electric field configurations. The idea in the paper is motivated by the development in cold atom experiments and builds on the seminal paper of Aharonov and Casher.