Correlated dynamics in a synthetic lattice of momentum states

TL;DR

This paper investigates how atomic interactions affect quantum simulations in momentum-space lattices, revealing self-trapping phenomena and potential for complex many-body states like chiral solitons.

Contribution

It demonstrates the emergence of self-trapping driven by finite-ranged interactions in momentum-space lattices, advancing understanding of many-body effects in synthetic quantum systems.

Findings

Observation of self-trapping in a momentum-space double well

Identification of effectively attractive, finite-ranged interactions in momentum space

Discussion of potential phenomena like chiral solitons in topological lattices

Abstract

We study the influence of atomic interactions on quantum simulations in momentum-space lattices (MSLs), where driven transitions between discrete momentum states mimic transport between sites of a synthetic lattice. Low energy atomic collisions, which are short ranged in real space, relate to nearly infinite-ranged interactions in momentum space. However, the added exchange energy between atoms in distinguishable momentum states leads to an effectively attractive, finite-ranged interaction in momentum space. In this work, we observe the onset of self-trapping driven by such interactions in a momentum-space double well, paving the way for more complex many-body studies in tailored MSLs. We consider the types of phenomena that may result from these interactions, including the formation of chiral solitons in topological zigzag lattices.