Quantum many particle systems in ring-shaped optical lattices

TL;DR

This paper proposes a method to experimentally realize one-dimensional ring-shaped optical lattices with tunable boundary conditions, enabling the study of quantum many-particle phenomena such as persistent currents in controlled settings.

Contribution

It introduces a practical approach to create and manipulate 1D optical lattices with adjustable boundary phase-twists for exploring quantum many-body physics.

Findings

Demonstration of a tunable boundary phase-twist in optical lattices

Proposal for observing persistent currents via momentum distribution

Framework for studying 1D quantum systems with mixed atomic species

Abstract

In the present work we demonstrate how to realize 1d-optical closed lattice experimentally, including a {\it tunable} boundary phase-twist. The latter may induce ``persistent currents'', visible by studing the atoms' momentum distribution. We show how important phenomena in 1d-physics can be studied by physical realization of systems of trapped atoms in ring-shaped optical lattices. A mixture of bosonic and/or fermionic atoms can be loaded into the lattice, realizing a generic quantum system of many interacting particles.