Single atom edge-like states via quantum interference

TL;DR

This paper shows how quantum interference can create robust edge-like states for a single ultracold atom in a 2D optical ribbon, with potential extensions to other geometries and using angular momentum as a synthetic dimension.

Contribution

It introduces a method to engineer robust edge-like states via quantum interference in ultracold atoms, including new geometries and angular momentum-based synthetic dimensions.

Findings

Edge-like states can be engineered within local ground state manifolds.

Implementation extends to tilted square lattice geometries.

Angular momentum can serve as a synthetic dimension for these states.

Abstract

We demonstrate how quantum interference may lead to the appearance of robust edge-like states of a single ultracold atom in a two-dimensional optical ribbon. We show that these states can be engineered either within the manifold of local ground states of the sites forming the ribbon, or of states carrying one unit of angular momentum. In the former case, we show that the implementation of edge-like states can be extended to other geometries, such as tilted square lattices. In the latter case, we suggest to use the winding number associated to the angular momentum as a synthetic dimension.