Quantum simulation with ultracold atoms in dynamically varying light potentials

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Ultracold atoms offer unique possibilies as quantum simulators for the study of many-body quantum systems. Our quantum-gas microscope offers single-site and single-atom resolved detection of atoms and opens the path to the study of strongly quantum systems in optical lattices with unprecedented insight into their local properties and with local control of the trapping potential. In particular, we use a digital-mirror device to produce dynamically changeable light potentials in small controllable quantum systems, which are projected onto the atoms in the optical lattice. This allows us create potential barriers on the scale of a single lattice site, which gives access to quantum systems with an exactly controllable atom number. A dynamically varying light potential allows us to change the position of the potential barriers and number of lattice sites available for the atoms. We are also investigating to use these tailor-made light potentials to create novel lattice geometries that feature edge states and flat bands. We will also study the time evolution and many-body quantum dynamics of these edge states, first with a single atomic species, and later with in the presence of tuneable interactions and two-component spin systems using Rb85 atoms with a tuneable scattering length.