An optical lattice is generated by counterpropagating
laser beams,
creating a periodic intensity pattern. Due to the periodic potential,
neutral atoms can be trapped using the Stark shift, giving rise to
artificial quantum lattice systems allowing for an enormous degree of
control over the system's parameters. In such systems, signatures of
quantum phase transitions can be observed, and they may also serve as
promising candidates for quantum information processing.
We are mainly
concerned with non-equilibrium
phenomena in quenched systems of atoms
in optical lattices, with questions of temperature effects and
adiabatic heating,
as well as with complex mixed lattice models,
including Bose-Fermi
mixtures. Recently, questions of probing questions concerning
disordered systems
have been addressed, and ideas on realizing
computational models have been implemented. This work is
partially done in collaboration with experimentalists.
For a comprehensive list of tutorials and review articles, see this link. For popular articles about our
work, see this link.
An optical lattice is generated by counterpropagating
laser beams,
creating a periodic intensity pattern. Due to the periodic potential,
neutral atoms can be trapped using the Stark shift, giving rise to
artificial quantum lattice systems allowing for an enormous degree of
control over the system's parameters. In such systems, signatures of
quantum phase transitions can be observed, and they may also serve as
promising candidates for quantum information processing.