Final Activity Report Summary - TUCAL (Theory of ultra-cold atoms in lattices)
In this project we have studied the physics of dipolar gases in optical lattices. Such a problem can be described in term of a generalised Bose-Hubbard model. Due to the long-range character of the interaction potential between dipolar atoms, the quantum phase diagram is strikingly different from the one expected in the case of on-site interaction only. Not only novel quantum phases like the checkerboard and the supersolid phases are predicted, but the system also presents a huge number of metastable insulating states in the low tunnelling region of the phase diagram.
The discovery of these metastable states is the most important achievement of this project. In order to investigate the possibility of using the metastable states as quantum memories we have studied their lifetime and procedures to initialise, manipulate and detect the state of the system in a controlled way. Encouraging results have been found assuming the use of superlattice techniques presently available in experiments.
The discovery of these metastable states is the most important achievement of this project. In order to investigate the possibility of using the metastable states as quantum memories we have studied their lifetime and procedures to initialise, manipulate and detect the state of the system in a controlled way. Encouraging results have been found assuming the use of superlattice techniques presently available in experiments.