CAREER: Quantum Simulation Using Ultra-Cold Atom Gases

这个CAREER提案旨在通过将现有技术和新技术整合到原子气体玻色-爱因斯坦凝聚实验中来实现量子模拟。通过使用被困在光学晶格中的超冷原子，量子模拟将用于研究与材料，技术和基础科学相关的物理学，这些物理学无法使用传统的计算技术或现有的实验方法完全理解。使用被困在光学晶格中的原子实现量子模拟需要三个关键的实验成分：在每个晶格位置准备一个定义良好的初始状态，以空间依赖的方式操纵原子自旋，以及控制晶格中相邻原子之间的相互作用。最初的研究将集中在利用这些工具来模拟尚未完全理解的相互作用的多体量子系统的行为，例如对基础物理学，材料科学，统计遗传学和心脏功能模型很重要的磁性模型。教育部分将集中在一个名为“小工具物理学”的本科课程的发展，这将是伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校的发现计划的一部分。

This CAREER proposal aims to realize quantum simulation by integrating existing techniques and new technologies into atomic gas Bose-Einstein condensation experiments. By employing ultra-cold atoms trapped in an optical lattice, quantum simulation will be used to study physics relevant to materials, technology, and fundamental science that cannot be completely understood using traditional computational techniques or available experimental methods. Three key experimental ingredients are required for achieving quantum simulation using atoms trapped in an optical lattice: preparing a well-defined initial state with one atom at each lattice site, manipulating the atomic spin in a spatially dependent fashion, and controlling the interaction between neighboring atoms in the lattice. Initial studies will focus on harnessing these tools to simulate the behavior of interacting many-body quantum systems that are not entirely understood, such as models of magnetism important to fundamental physics, materials science, statistical genetics, and models of cardiac function. The educational component will be centered on the development of a undergraduate course entitled "Physics of Gadgets" that will be part of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Discovery Program.