Scientists at NIST and the University of Maryland have demonstrated a “geometric charge pump” using cold atoms, confirming a decades-old theoretical prediction. The experiment involves trapping rubidium atoms in an optical lattice created by interfering lasers. By periodically varying the laser power and magnetic field, the researchers cause the atoms to oscillate between adjacent lattice sites while accumulating a net spatial shift. This demonstrates a new way to manipulate quantum systems and could potentially enable similar techniques in other physical platforms.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2016/05/powered-quantum-cycles-cold-atom-pump
Keywords: bosons, condensate, phase, lattice, quantum
