Group Seminar via Zoom: Quantum simulation with an optical kagome lattice

Max Melchner, Cambridge University, Uk
Group meeting via video conference (Zoom)
Tuesday, January 4th, 09:00 am (MEZ)
 

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are still holding our group seminars and journal clubs via video conference.
This procedure enables us to continue our research, enhance discussions and exchange important information.

In this talk, I will present our progress towards the construction of a versatile quantum
simulator for bosonic and fermionic atoms in triangular, honeycomb and kagome optical
lattices. In particular, I will focus on kagome lattice physics and on how we intend to
populate the associated flat motional band using negative temperatures.

Flat bands play a fundamental role in phenomena such as high-Tc superconductivity in
magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene, fractional quantum Hall physics, and bosonic Wigner
crystallization and supersolidity. In addition, low-temperature phases of the kagome lattice
are expected to give rise to spin-liquid behavior. I will discuss how some of these effects
might be reproduced with a kagome lattice quantum simulator, what we can measure, and
what signatures we expect.

Finally, I will talk about various technical innovations we have incorporated into our
machine, our recent progress towards populating the flat band of the kagome lattice with
bosonic atoms, and the initial experiments we envision conducting.

If you would like to join our group seminars via Zoom, please contact us for more information.