Cold Atom Quantum Simulator: Disorder

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This project aims at providing a stepping stone in quantum information processing by the realization of Feynman's vision of quantum simulation of a quantum system using a well controlled and model quantum system evolving according to a tailored Hamiltonian. Using cold atom systems in optical lattices, which already have proven their power in showing typical condensed matter quantum effects like the Mott insulator, this stepwise approach is much more conservative than typical efforts in quantum computation. In particular it is likely to quite naturally deliver one of the main currently foreseen applications of a quantum computer: a general quantum simulator. In this respect this project promises to drive our fundamental understanding of the involved issues of entanglement generation or quantum state analysis and consequently to provide a solid basis for further steps in this area.The key new feature of this project is the attempt to achieve for the first time full control over a many-body quantum system by implementing single site resolution for quantum state manipulation as well as quantum state analysis. Disorder phenomena shall serve as the test case for completely controlled lattice Hamiltonians and will allow tackling non-trivial and technologically relevant problems in quantum transport such as metal to insulator transitions or magneto-fingerprints .The project is well aligned with the mission of the Midlands Ultracold Atom Research Centre, an EPSRC Science and Innovation initiative established to foster the link between cold atom and condensed matter physics. It will thus create great mutual benefits with the existing theory groups and foster UK cold atom networking with groups at other universities. This is underlined by winning Massimo Inguscio, one of Europe's leading scientists in cold atom research, to come to the UK as a visiting researcher.Discussions with QinetiQ, as part of a Quantum Technology Partnership (QTP) involving Birmingham, Warwick, Oxford and Lancaster, have identified a number of potential spin-off applications related to cold atom research and we are actively pursuing ways of developing these for future commercialization and mutual benefit. These include sensors based on cold-atom lattice systems and related technology, particularly integrated optics and lasers for future portable cold-atom systems.