Title: Quantum simulation with ultracold atoms in optical lattices

Speaker: Dr. Bodhaditya Santra, University of Innsbruck

Abstract: Predicting the dynamics of an interacting many-body system is often a challenging task either by an analytical method or by numerical simulation. The way to a faster and more accurate solution was embedded in the vision of Feynman’s quantum computers for universal quantum simulations. Ultracold quantum gases offer unique possibilities to simulate quantum dynamics in a highly controllable and precisely tuneable setup. In this talk, I will present an introduction of the field providing a state-of-the-art picture.

Specifically, I will present the results obtained with a rubidium Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) loaded in an optical lattice. Using a scanning electron microscope [1], we prepared the initial state and observed “Negative differential conductivity” in an interacting quantum gas [2]. In a second experiment, I will show the dynamics of strongly interacting bosons in an ensemble of atomic quantum wires realized by caesium BEC loaded in a 2D optical lattice [3]. Finally, I will present my future research plans on quantum simulation and quantum information processing using atomic qubits.

[1] B. Santra and H. Ott, J. Phys. B. 48, 122001 (2015)

[2] R. Labouvie, B. Santra, S. Heun, S. Wimberger, H. Ott, Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 050601 (2015)

[3] E. Haller et al., Science 325, 1224 (2009)