Alkali-Metal Gases in Optical Lattices: Possible New Type of Quantum Crystals

Authors

A. E. Meyerovich, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

11-12-2003

Abstract

Similarities between alkali-metal gases in optical lattices with noninteger occupation of the lattice sites and quantum crystals are explored. The analogy with the vacancy liquid (VL) provides an alternative explanation to the Mott transition for the recent experiment on the phase transition in the lattice. The VL can undergo Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) with T_c within experimental reach. Direct and vacancy-assisted mechanisms of the band motion for hyperfine impurities are discussed. A large concentration of vacancies can result in the spatial decomposition of the system into pure hyperfine components. Below the vacancy condensation the impurity component resembles ³He in ³He–He II mixtures.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Meyerovich, A. E. (2003). Alkali-Metal gases in Optical Lattices: Possible New Type of Quantum Crystals. Phys. Rev. A, 68, 051602. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevA.68.051602

Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.68.051602

Publisher Statement

© 2003 The American Physical Society