Deep strong coupling of quantum mechanical motional modes with ultracold atoms in an optical lattice potential

光学晶格势中的超冷原子对于物理实现和不同物理域效应的量子模拟都是一个很好的系统。例子包括固体物理学中已知的现象的演示，如Mott-Isolator转变，或相对论波动方程的预测。在准备工作中，我们的团队成功地展示了在可变色散的光学晶格中与超冷原子的相对论Klein隧穿，原子的量子棘轮，以及最近在光学晶格中与原子的拓扑保护的边态的空间分辨。这些实验的中心是我们课题组的可变光学多光子晶格的发展。在这些前期工作的基础上，我们计划利用光学晶格势中的超冷原子来探索量子力学模之间的极强耦合区域，在该区域中，模之间的耦合强度超过了它们的本征频率。在理论方面，我们的实验工作得到了毕尔巴鄂巴斯克大学E.Solano教授的理论小组的支持，他们共同开发了计划中的实验程序的理论概念。利用超冷原子系统，我们计划通过实验演示深度强耦合区域的新的物理效应。

Ultracold atoms in optical lattice potentials represent an excellent system both for the physical implementation and for the quantum simulation of effects from different physical domains. Examples include the demonstration of phenomena known from solid-state physics, as the Mott-Isolator transition, or predictions of relativistic wave equations. In preparatory work, our group succeeded in demonstrating relativistic Klein tunneling with ultracold atoms in an optical lattice of variable dispersion, atomic quantum ratchets, and recently the spatial resolving of a topologically protected edge state with atoms in an optical lattice. Central to these experiments was the development of variable optical multi-photon lattices in our research group.Based on these preliminary works, we plan to exploit the regime of extremely strong coupling of quantum mechanical modes, in which the coupling strength between the modes exceeds their eigenfrequencies, using ultracold atoms in optical lattice potentials. On the theoretical side our experimental work is supported by the theory group of Prof. E. Solano, University of the Basque Country in Bilbao, with which the theoretical concept for the planned experimental procedure was jointly developed. With the ultracold atom system, we plan to experimentally demonstrate novel physics effects of the deep strong coupling regime.