Project description
Realising high-dimensional physics with synthetic dimensions
Advances in quantum simulation are opening up exciting possibilities in physics and technology by creating ‘synthetic dimensions’, where higher-dimensional observable effects can be studied using simpler, lower-dimensional experimental set-ups. These systems are built using techniques that connect the internal properties of particles or sweep through changing conditions. Synthetic dimensions allow scientists to test ideas once deemed purely theoretical, such as new ways to control light for technologies such as quantum circuits. While most research has hitherto focused on simpler, non-interacting systems, the ERC-funded IOSynDim project will explore how particles interact in these synthetic dimensions. The proposed research seeks to uncover exotic many-body phenomena, bridging condensed matter physics and quantum engineering.
Objective
Recent technological advances are propelling the field of quantum simulation, with pioneering light-matter experiments in electronic, cold-atomic, and photonic systems. These developments enable the creation of systems with “synthetic dimensions”, where observable effects emerge from dimensions higher than that of the physical experimental setup. Such systems are inherently out of equilibrium, as synthetic dimensions arise from parametric drives that couple internal degrees of freedom or adiabatic drives that sweep across periodic parameter spaces.
Synthetic dimensions provide a powerful platform for realizing models previously considered purely theoretical. For instance, they allow for the experimental realization of 2D topological pumps that map to the 4D quantum Hall effects, with boundary phenomena that reveal the origin of high-order topological insulators and applications such as on-chip quantum light routing. These advancements open new avenues for fundamental discoveries and technological applications. However, the current focus remains largely on noninteracting systems, where research predominantly addresses the interplay between time-dependent drives, noise, disorder, and dissipative bath couplings in an out-of-equilibrium setting.
This project aims to transcend the noninteracting paradigm, pioneering a theoretical exploration of many-body interaction effects in synthetic dimensions. We will develop advanced field-theoretical and numerical tools to analyze high-dimensional models and uncover their unique many-body phenomena. In collaboration with experimentalists, we will propose and design realizations that reveal exotic many-body physics in synthetic dimensions using cold-atomic and photonic systems, thus, elucidating effects in more traditional condensed matter systems. Our interdisciplinary approach bridges condensed matter physics and quantum engineering, facilitating the exploration of models typically associated with high-energy physics.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
78464 Konstanz
Germany
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