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Special Colloquium, April 5, 2004Neutral Atoms in an Optical Lattice: A Quantum Simulator for Many-Body PhysicsKen O’HaraNational Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MDThe study of quantum degenerate atomic gases has entered an exciting new regime where interactions play a major role in determining the behavior of these many-body systems. The excitement is driven by the fact that these systems can now be used to simulate many-body Hamiltonians that are of interest in condensed matter physics but become impossible to model on a classical computer as the size of the system is increased. As an example, I will describe our experimental realization of a one-dimensional Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian achieved by confining a Bose-Einstein condensate in an optical lattice potential. I will also discuss future directions for this research such as the study of a Fermi gas in an optical lattice which will permit tests of models claimed to describe high-Tc superconductivity. 10:30 a.m., Smith Laboratory, Room 1094Refreshments served in Smith 1094 at 10:00 a.m. |
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