Abstract
We show that simple laser configurations can give rise to “optical flux lattices,” in which optically dressed atoms experience a periodic effective magnetic flux with high mean density. These potentials lead to narrow energy bands with nonzero Chern numbers. Optical flux lattices will greatly facilitate the achievement of the quantum Hall regime for ultracold atomic gases.
- Received 12 January 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.106.175301
© 2011 American Physical Society
Viewpoint
An optical lattice of flux
Published 25 April 2011
A suitable optical lattice for cold atoms could produce a large effective magnetic field in which the atoms would realize analogs to quantum Hall states.
See more in Physics