Quantum transport in ultracold atoms

TL;DR

This paper reviews how ultracold atomic gases serve as versatile platforms for studying quantum transport phenomena, offering insights and advantages over traditional solid-state systems.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of experimental progress, theoretical predictions, and fundamental differences in quantum transport between cold atoms and condensed matter.

Findings

Significant progress in cold atom transport experiments

Distinct differences between atomic and solid-state transport phenomena

Potential for novel applications in nonequilibrium physics

Abstract

Ultracold atoms confined by engineered magnetic or optical potentials are ideal systems for studying phenomena otherwise difficult to realize or probe in the solid state because their atomic interaction strength, number of species, density, and geometry can be independently controlled. This review focuses on quantum transport phenomena in atomic gases that mirror and oftentimes either better elucidate or show fundamental differences with those observed in mesoscopic and nanoscopic systems. We discuss significant progress in performing transport experiments in atomic gases, contrast similarities and differences between transport in cold atoms and in condensed matter systems, and survey inspiring theoretical predictions that are difficult to verify in conventional setups. These results further demonstrate the versatility offered by atomic systems in the study of nonequilibrium phenomena and their promise for novel applications.