Quantum simulation of topological orders
In the previous posts, I was talking a lot about complex quantum states that we aim to study in the QUINTO project: topological orders, in particular spin liquids. Now, let us see how quantum optics can help us in this endeavour.
Topological orders can be hard to find. Not all of them – one particular class, “fractional quantum Hall states”, can be created in the lab by applying very strong magnetic field to electrons confined in two dimensions. But others, such as spin liquids, remain elusive, even though scientists proposed some materials in which spin liquids might occur.
Moreover, with solid-state materials, we don’t usually have enough control to manipulate individual anyons as precisely as we would want (even though impressive experiments were performed with tiny anyon colliders and anyon interferometers in the quantum Hall systems).
An alternative is to assemble a quantum system – a “quantum simulator” from scratch, piece by piece, precisely controlling its parameters. For example, it is possible to “catch” a single atom with a laser beam – a so-called “optical tweezer”. The radiation pressure of the beam “traps” the atom in the point where the light is strongest, i.e. where the beam is focused. Such atoms can then be arranged in arrays resembling crystals.
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