# Atoms trapped by a spin-dependent optical lattice potential: realization of a ground state quantum rotor

## TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for quantum rotors formed by cold atoms in a 2D spin-dependent optical lattice, highlighting their potential as high-precision sensors.

## Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive theory for quantum rotors in spin-dependent optical lattices, detailing wave functions, energies, and transition mechanisms for bosons and fermions.

## Key findings

- Wave functions and energy levels are characterized for quantum rotors.
- Magnetic dipole transitions between rotor states are elucidated.
- Quantum rotors can serve as high-precision sensors.

## Abstract

In a cold atom gas subject to a 2D spin-dependent optical lattice potential with hexagonal symmetry, trapped atoms undergo orbital motion around the potential minima. Such atoms are elementary quantum rotors. We develop the theory of such quantum rotors. Wave functions, energies, and degeneracies are determined for both bosonic and fermionic atoms, and magnetic dipole transitions between the states are elucidated. Quantum rotors in optical lattices with precisely one atom per unit cell can be used as high precision rotation sensors, accelerometers, and magnetometers.