Symmetry-protected topological states for interacting fermions in alkaline-earth-like atoms

TL;DR

This paper explores the realization of symmetry-protected topological states in interacting fermions using alkaline-earth-like atoms, leveraging their unique atomic properties and Raman-assisted spin-orbit coupling to simulate and analyze topological phases.

Contribution

It introduces a method to simulate SPT states in alkaline-earth-like atoms with interactions, combining orbital and nuclear-spin degrees of freedom, and investigates phase transitions numerically.

Findings

Identification of SPT phases in the system

Phase diagram mapping of topological and symmetry-breaking phases

Proposed measurement method for topological edge modes

Abstract

We discuss the quantum simulation of symmetry-protected topological (SPT) states for interacting fermions in quasi-one-dimensional gases of alkaline-earth-like atoms such as $^{173}$Yb. Taking advantage of the separation of orbital and nuclear-spin degrees of freedom in these atoms, we consider Raman-assisted spin-orbit couplings in the clock states, which, together with the spin-exchange interactions in the clock-state manifolds, give rise to SPT states for interacting fermions. We numerically investigate the phase diagram of the system, and study the phase transitions between the SPT phase and the symmetry-breaking phases. The interaction-driven topological phase transition can be probed by measuring local density distribution of the topological edge modes.