Tunable-spin-model generation with spin-orbit-coupled fermions in optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper investigates how ultracold fermionic atoms in optical lattices can simulate various spin-1/2 models through spin-orbit coupling and magnetic flux, revealing diverse dynamical behaviors and potential experimental applications.

Contribution

It demonstrates tunable generation of different spin models using spin-orbit-coupled fermions in optical lattices, exploring their dynamical regimes and symmetry effects.

Findings

Emulation of Ising, XY, XXZ, and one-axis twisting models

Identification of parameter regimes with chiral, persistent dynamics

Discussion of experimental implementation feasibility

Abstract

We study the dynamical behaviour of ultracold fermionic atoms loaded into an optical lattice under the presence of an effective magnetic flux, induced by spin-orbit coupled laser driving. At half filling, the resulting system can emulate a variety of iconic spin-1/2 models such as an Ising model, an XY model, a generic XXZ model with arbitrary anisotropy, or a collective one-axis twisting model. The validity of these different spin models is examined across the parameter space of flux and driving strength. In addition, there is a parameter regime where the system exhibits chiral, persistent features in the long-time dynamics. We explore these properties and discuss the role played by the system's symmetries. We also discuss experimentally-viable implementations.