Observation of momentum-space chiral edge currents in room-temperature atoms

TL;DR

This paper reports the first experimental observation of momentum-space chiral edge currents in room-temperature atoms, achieved through a novel superradiance lattice induced by staggered magnetic fluxes, advancing topological quantum simulation.

Contribution

It demonstrates room-temperature atomic chiral edge currents using a superradiance lattice, enabling topological physics studies without cryogenic cooling.

Findings

Chiral edge currents observed at room temperature.

Superradiance lattice formed by spatial phase difference.

Directional superradiant emissions measured.

Abstract

Chiral edge currents play an important role in characterizing topological matter. In atoms, they have been observed at such a low temperature that the atomic motion can be measured. Here we report the first experimental observation of chiral edge currents in atoms at room temperature. Staggered magnetic fluxes are induced by the spatial phase difference between two standing-wave light fields, which couple atoms to form a momentum-space zigzag superradiance lattice. The chiral edge currents have been measured by comparing the directional superradiant emissions of two timed Dicke states in the lattice. This work paves the way for quantum simulation of topological matter with hot atoms and facilitates the application of topological physics in real devices.