Objective Recently, topology stepped in an increasing number of areas in physics, including via the concept of topological phases of matter. In strongly interacting systems, topological phases may exhibit intricate quantum entanglement between their constituents, leading to fascinating physical properties, such as the emergence of anyons. Since the discovery of fractional quantum Hall states in 1982, the scientific community is awaiting further experimental advances: new types of strongly correlated states, observation/manipulation of anyons. In this field, ultracold atoms promise novel approaches with a specific degree of control. Yet, despite the recent creation of weakly interacting topological states with atomic gases, reaching the strongly correlated regime, with long-range quantum entanglement, remains an open challenge.In TOPODY, I will use a novel approach to produce strongly correlated topological states with microscopic samples of atomic Dysprosium. The envisioned laboratory experiment will combine state-of-the-art techniques, such as single-atom detection or laser-induced spin-orbit coupling. It will allow preparing quantum gases subjected to artificial gauge fields beyond the previously accessible regimes. The project will focus on realizing two paradigmatic physical systems – the Laughlin state and a topological superfluid. 1. We will create the Laughlin state by injecting a controlled amount of angular momentum using optical transitions with finely-shaped laser beams. We will infer distinctive features of the Laughlin state – incompressibility and atom anti-bunching – from the distribution of atom positions. 2. We will produce strongly interacting Fermi gases in one dimension and subjected to a spin-orbit coupling, leading to a topological superfluid state. The topology will manifest itself by the presence of Majorana bound states, which are quantum states delocalized between the two ends of the system, and accessible using quasi-particle spectroscopy. Fields of science natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicstopologynatural sciencesphysical sciencescondensed matter physicsquantum gasesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physicsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Keywords Quantum gases Quantum Hall effect Topological matter Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2017-STG - ERC Starting Grant Call for proposal ERC-2017-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-STG - Starting Grant Coordinator ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE Net EU contribution € 1 500 000,00 Address 45, rue d'ulm 75230 Paris France See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE France Net EU contribution € 1 500 000,00 Address 45, rue d'ulm 75230 Paris See on map Region Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00