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Realizing Fractional Chern Insulators in Dipolar Spin Systems

N. Y. Yao, A. V. Gorshkov, C. R. Laumann, A. M. Läuchli, J. Ye, and M. D. Lukin
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 185302 – Published 29 April 2013
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Abstract

Strongly correlated quantum systems can exhibit exotic behavior controlled by topology. We predict that the ν=1/2 fractional Chern insulator arises naturally in a two-dimensional array of driven, dipolar-interacting spins. As a specific implementation, we analyze how to prepare and detect synthetic gauge potentials for the rotational excitations of ultracold polar molecules trapped in a deep optical lattice. With the motion of the molecules pinned, under certain conditions, these rotational excitations form a fractional Chern insulating state. We present a detailed experimental blueprint for its realization and demonstrate that the implementation is consistent with near-term capabilities. Prospects for the realization of such phases in solid-state dipolar systems are discussed as are their possible applications.

  • Received 11 January 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.185302

© 2013 American Physical Society

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Toward Fractional Quantum Hall Physics with Cold Atoms

Published 29 April 2013

Researchers propose new ways to recreate fractional quantum Hall physics using ultracold atoms and molecules.

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Authors & Affiliations

N. Y. Yao1, A. V. Gorshkov2, C. R. Laumann1,3, A. M. Läuchli4, J. Ye5, and M. D. Lukin1

  • 1Physics Department, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
  • 2Institute for Quantum Information and Matter, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA
  • 3ITAMP, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
  • 4Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
  • 5JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA

See Also

Reaching Fractional Quantum Hall States with Optical Flux Lattices

Nigel R. Cooper and Jean Dalibard
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 185301 (2013)

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Vol. 110, Iss. 18 — 3 May 2013

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