Topological Molecules and Topological Localization of a Rydberg Electron on a Classical Orbit

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the theoretical possibility of creating topologically protected bound states in atomic systems, leading to novel molecular formations and electron localization through time-modulated interactions and fields.

Contribution

It introduces a new class of topological molecules and electron localization mechanisms based on topological protection rather than attractive interactions.

Findings

Topological molecules can be formed with modulated atomic interactions.

Electron localization on classical orbits can be achieved via topological protection.

The mechanisms rely on time-dependent modulation of interactions and fields.

Abstract

It is common knowledge that atoms can form molecules if they attract each other. Here, we show that it is possible to create molecules where bound states of the atoms are not the result of attractive interactions but have the topological origin. That is, the bound states of the atoms correspond to the topologically protected edge states of a topological model. Such topological molecules can be realized if the interaction strength between ultra-cold atoms is properly modulated in time. A similar mechanism allows one to realize topologically protected localization of an electron on a classical orbit if a Rydberg atom is perturbed by a properly modulated microwave field.