Physics Colloquium, February 16, 2010
Exploring Strongly Correlated Quantum Matter in Artificial Crystals of Light Immanuel Bloch

Max-Planck-Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching and Ludwig-Maximilians University at Munich

The realization of ultracold quantum gases at Nanokelvin temperatures has marked a milestone in modern quantum physics. With the help of laser light, these ultracold atom clouds can be stored in artificial periodic potentials created by laser light - so called optical lattices - that allow us to explore fundamental aspects of strongly interacting fermionic and bosonic quantum matter. In my talk, I will review some of the recent experiments on strongly correlated quantum gases in optical lattices and highlight connections to condensed matter physics, quantum information science and atomic- and molecular physics.

Dr. Bloch's Web Site

4:00 p.m., Physics Research Building (PRB), Room 1080

Reception at 3:45 p.m., Atrium, PRB