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

三维（3D）强相关多体系统（如超导体）的物理建模是一个快速发展的研究前沿，其直接应用跨越了从新材料开发到量子态制备等领域。由于系统固有的复杂性和现有数值技术的局限性，传统计算机——甚至是快速的超级计算机——都无法对这些系统进行精确的模拟/研究。该项目将使用钠玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚体（BEC）实现一个3D高度可编程的量子模拟器，并通过实验证明该量子模拟器在研究如此复杂的多体系统时可以比其经典对应物更强大。BECs是一种超冷气体，其中的原子基本上彼此无法区分，从而可以在宏观层面上观察量子行为。本课题的研究目标对于推进我们对量子物理的理解具有根本的意义，同时也具有重要的技术意义。首席研究员（PI）将通过让本科生和研究生参与研究项目，将研究和教学结合起来，并努力扩大包括美国土著学生和妇女在内的代表性不足的群体在物理学领域的参与。PI还将为当地高中生组织为期一天的研讨会，让他们亲身体验最先进的量子物理设备和技术。这个项目将鼓励更多的学生从事科技事业。本项目将在一个三维旋量玻色-哈伯德模型量子模拟器中对多体系统进行实验研究，该模拟器由一个被限制在光学晶格中的反铁磁钠旋量BEC组成。该量子模拟器具有自旋自由度、磁有序和超流动性，具有高度可编程性，对温度、自旋、密度和维数等参数具有显著的控制能力。实验研究包括研究非平衡自旋和空间动力学，以及在移动/驱动晶格中使用自旋子BECs的非指数隧穿，并通过量子气体放大成像技术直接检测3D量子系统的空间分布，探索以前无法进入的微观体系，从而实现位点分辨率的空间分辨率。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.