Mainz 2017 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 31: Poster: Quantum Optics and Photonics I

Q 31.21: Poster

Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 17:00–19:00, P OG1+2

Quantum Hall physics with quantum walks in a synthetic magnetic field — •Muhammad Sajid, Dieter Meschede, and Andrea Alberti — Wegelerstr. 8 - 53115

Simulation of quantum transport with discrete-time quantum walks (DTQWs) have been realized in various experiments including ultra-cold neutral atoms in optical lattices [1]. For example, the behavior of charged particles in a periodic potential subject to an external electric field has been simulated with neutral atoms in spin-dependent one-dimensional optical lattices [2].

Here, we propose a scheme based on DTQWs to recreate integer quantum Hall (IQH) physics with pseudo-spin-1/2 particles. Quantum walks are particularly suited to study the limit of strong fields. We compute the bulk topological invariants, i.e. the Chern numbers of the bands, of DTQWs in a synthetic magnetic field. Further, we discuss an experimental proposal based on realistic experimental conditions, which uses neutral atoms to implement synthetic magnetic fields in a DTQW. Our experimental proposal permits to dial any synthetic magnetic field landscape, including those with sharp spatial boundaries, along which matter waves are expected to flow without dissipation into the bulk.

[1] M. Karski et al., Science 325, 174 (2009). [2] M. Genske et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 190601 (2013).