Quantum Dynamics in Optical Quasicrystals
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The goal of this project is the observation of coherent quantum many-body dynamics of many-body systems in an Optical Quasicrystal. During the last fifteen years, ultracold atoms in optical lattices have emerged as a powerful model system to study the many-body physics of interacting particles in periodic potentials. This PhD project is embedded into a larger project with the goal of extending this level of control to quasiperiodic potentials by realizing an optical quasicrystal.
Even though quasicrystals are long-range ordered, many foundational concepts of periodic condensed matter systems such as Blochwaves or Brillouin zones are not applicable. This places them on an interesting middle ground between periodic and disordered systems and highlights their potential for novel many-body physics.
Even though quasicrystals are long-range ordered, many foundational concepts of periodic condensed matter systems such as Blochwaves or Brillouin zones are not applicable. This places them on an interesting middle ground between periodic and disordered systems and highlights their potential for novel many-body physics.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2022 | |||
| 1805225 | Studentship | EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2020 | Edward Carter |
| Description | We have developed an experiment that might help develop new materials for future technologies. Material properties are determined by the motion of electrons, but electrons are too small and too fast to be directly imaged. In our experiment we get atoms to mimic the behaviour of electrons in interesting materials, because atoms are much heavier and slower than electrons and can be directly photographed. We do this by shining lasers on the atoms in a way that reproduces the environment that electrons experience in those materials. The reason we want to do this is that there are some very exciting materials that should one day be possible, but require a lot more understanding of how electrons behave. The most significant to our research is the question of superconductors, which are materials that carry electricity without resistance, but only at very low temperatures. Hopefully one day it will be possible to make materials that superconduct under normal conditions, so that they can be used for power lines and train tracks without the need to cool them. That could make it much more efficient to transfer electricity, but more excitingly it could allow new, much faster trains and rapid, environmentally friendly travel all over the world. In our group we don't directly research superconductors. Instead, we have chosen a type of material called a quasicrystal, which has some properties of ordered materials (like metals) and some of disordered materials (like glass). We have developed an experiment that simulates a quasicrystal for atoms, expecting to gain new insights into how electrons behave in these exotic environments, which have never been studied in this way before. Quasicrystals also provide a link to exotic phenomena that ordinarily could only occur in a higher number of dimensions, in our case four dimensions. Since we live in three-dimensional space, our experiment provides a rare opportunity to observe four dimensionsal behaviour directly. Both these effects -- bridging the gap between order and disorder, and exploring higher dimensions -- advance the fields of physics that could one day lead to breakthroughs like room-temperature superconductors. |
| Exploitation Route | Within academia our experimental platform will produce results of immediate interest to theorists investigating quasiperiodic systems, many-body localisation, and strongly-correlated quantum systems. In the long term we hope to contribute to new technologies that will impact the energy and transport sectors, most especially via new superconducting materials with much higher transition temperatures. |
| Sectors | Electronics,Energy,Transport |
| URL | https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.110404 |
| Title | Quasicrystalline optical lattice for ultracold atoms |
| Description | Our experiment generates ultracold clouds of alkali atoms and exposes them to far-detuned laser beams that interfere to create a quasicrystalline optical lattice. While the creation of ultracold atomic clouds is now routine in many laboratories, our 2D quasicrystalline lattice geometry is unique and allows new simulations of condensed-matter phenomena using all the tools of atomic physics. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | We are still in the preliminary stages of experimental work, and development is not yet completely finished. However, we have a forthcoming publication on our experiments so far (URL below). |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/1807.00823 |
| Description | Physics at Work |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | The Cavendish Lab hosts a 3-day Physics at Work event each year, attended by schools from across England. Any research group can volunteer to provide a 15 minute presentation, which they repeat for 12 different school groups each day during the event. The students are exposed to new ideas and get an idea of the diversity of physics research. My group has done this for the past two years and plans to continue. Students and teachers reacted very positively in my experience, with enthusiasm and plans to replicate our demonstrations at their schools. The event continues to be well-attended each year. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| URL | https://outreach.phy.cam.ac.uk/programme/physicsatwork |