Nonequilibrium Dynamics and Site-Resolved Imaging in a Three-Dimensional Spinor Bose-Hubbard Model Quantum Simulator

超导体等三维强关联多体系统的物理建模是一个快速发展的研究前沿，其应用范围从新材料的开发到量子态的制备。由于系统的内在复杂性和现有数值技术的局限性，经典计算机--即使是速度很快的超级计算机--也不能对这些系统进行准确的模拟/研究。该项目将使用玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体(BEC)实现一个高度可编程的3D量子模拟器，并通过实验证明，在研究这种复杂的多体系统方面，这个量子模拟器可以比它的经典模拟器更强大。BEC是一种超冷气体，在这种气体中，原子之间基本上无法区分，因此可以在宏观层面上观察量子行为。该项目的研究目标对增进我们对量子物理的理解具有根本的意义，也具有技术意义。首席研究员(PI)将通过让本科生和研究生参与研究项目来整合研究和教学，并努力扩大包括美国原住民学生和妇女在内的未被充分代表的群体在物理学领域的参与。国际和平研究所还将为当地高中生组织为期一天的工作坊，以获得最先进的量子物理设备和技术的实践经验。这个项目将鼓励更多的学生投身于科学和技术领域。本项目将在三维旋量玻色-哈伯德模型量子模拟器中对多体系统进行实验研究，该模拟器由限制在光学晶格中的反铁磁钠旋量BEC组成。这种量子模拟器具有自旋自由度，表现出磁序和超流，具有高度可编程性，可以显著控制许多参数，如温度、自旋、密度和维度。实验研究包括研究非平衡自旋和空间动力学，以及在运动/驱动晶格中利用旋量BEC进行非指数隧穿，以及通过量子气体放大镜成像技术实现站点分辨的空间分辨率，以直接探测3D量子系统的空间分布并探索以前无法访问的微观方案。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Physical modeling of three-dimensional (3D) strongly correlated many-body systems such as superconductors is a fast-moving research frontier with immediate applications spanning areas from the development of novel materials to quantum state preparation. Classical computers - even fast supercomputers - cannot perform accurate simulations/studies of these systems due to the intrinsic complexity of the systems and the limitations of existing numerical techniques. This project will implement a 3D highly-programmable quantum simulator using a sodium Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) and experimentally demonstrate that this quantum simulator can be more powerful than its classical counterpart in studying such intricate many-body systems. BECs are ultra-cold gases in which atoms become essentially indistinguishable from one another, allowing for observations of quantum behaviors at a macroscopic level. Research goals of this project are both of fundamental interest for advancing our understanding on quantum physics and of technological significance. The principal investigator (PI) will integrate research and teaching by involving undergraduate and graduate students into research projects, and endeavor to broaden the participation of under-represented groups including Native American students and women in physics. The PI will also organize one-day workshops for local high school students to get hands-on experience with state-of-the-art quantum physics equipment and techniques. This project will encourage more students to pursue a career in science and technology. This project will perform experimental studies on many-body systems in a 3D spinor Bose-Hubbard model quantum simulator consisting of an antiferromagnetic sodium spinor BEC confined in an optical lattice. Possessing spin degrees of freedom and exhibiting magnetic order and superfluidity, this quantum simulator is highly programmable with a remarkable degree of control over many parameters, such as temperature, spin, density, and dimensionality. The experimental studies include investigating out-of-equilibrium spin and spatial dynamics and non-exponential tunneling with spinor BECs in moving/driven lattices and achieving site-resolved spatial resolution via a quantum gas magnifier imaging technique to directly detect spatial distributions of 3D quantum systems and explore previously inaccessible microscopic regimes.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.