Spin-orbit coupled correlated metal phase in Kondo lattices: an implementation with alkaline-earth atoms

TL;DR

This paper predicts and proposes a simulation of an exotic spin-orbit coupled metallic state in Kondo lattices, driven by quantum effects and magnetic interactions, using ultracold alkaline-earth atoms with laser-induced fields.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum metallic phase in Kondo lattices and suggests a feasible experimental simulation with ultracold atoms.

Findings

Prediction of spin-orbit coupled metallic state in Kondo lattices.

Proposal for simulating this state using ultracold alkaline-earth atoms.

Identification of observable spin-charge dynamics in quench experiments.

Abstract

We show that an interplay between quantum effects, strong on-site ferromagnetic exchange interaction and antiferromagnetic correlations in Kondo lattices can give rise to an exotic spin-orbit coupled metallic state in regimes where classical treatments predict a trivial insulating behavior. This phenomenon can be simulated with ultracold alkaline-earth fermionic atoms subject to a laser-induced magnetic field by observing dynamics of spin-charge excitations in quench experiments.