Controlling and Exploring Quantum Matter Using Ultracold Atoms in Optical Lattices
Immanuel Bloch
Max-Planck Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans Kopfermann Str. 1,
85748 Garching, Germany
&
Ludwig-Maximilians Universität, Schellingstr. 4, 80799
München, Germany
More
than 30 years ago, Richard Feynman outlined the visionary
concept of a quantum simulator for carrying
out
complex physics calculations. Today, his dream has become a
reality in laboratories around the world. In
my
talk I will focus on the remarkable opportunities offered by
ultracold quantum gases trapped in
optical
lattices to address fundamental physics questions ranging from
condensed matter physics over
statistical
physics to high energy physics with table-top
experiment.
For example, I will show how it has now become possible to
image and control quantum matter with single
atom
sensitivity and single site resolution, thereby allowing one
to directly image individual quantum
fluctuations
of a many-body system, to directly reveal antiferromagnetic
order in the fermionic Hubbard model or
hidden
‘topological order’. I will also show, how recent experiments
with cold gases in optical lattices have
enabled
to realise and probe artificial magnetic fields that lie at
the heart of topological energy bands in a
solid,
including Thouless charge pumps in multiple dimensions.
Finally, I will discuss our recent experiments
on
novel many-body localised states of matter that challenge our
understanding of the connection
between
statistical physics and quantum mechanics at a fundamental
level.