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Interferometric measurements of many-body topological invariants using mobile impurities

Author

Listed:
  • F. Grusdt

    (University of Kaiserslautern
    Graduate School Materials Science in Mainz
    Harvard University)

  • N. Y. Yao

    (University of California)

  • D. Abanin

    (University of Geneva)

  • M. Fleischhauer

    (University of Kaiserslautern)

  • E. Demler

    (Harvard University)

Abstract

Topological quantum phases cannot be characterized by Ginzburg–Landau type order parameters, and are instead described by non-local topological invariants. Experimental platforms capable of realizing such exotic states now include synthetic many-body systems such as ultracold atoms or photons. Unique tools available in these systems enable a new characterization of strongly correlated many-body states. Here we propose a general scheme for detecting topological order using interferometric measurements of elementary excitations. The key ingredient is the use of mobile impurities that bind to quasiparticles of a host many-body system. Specifically, we show how fractional charges can be probed in the bulk of fractional quantum Hall systems. We demonstrate that combining Ramsey interference with Bloch oscillations can be used to measure Chern numbers characterizing the dispersion of individual quasiparticles, which gives a direct probe of their fractional charges. Possible extensions of our method to other many-body systems, such as spin liquids, are conceivable.

Suggested Citation

  • F. Grusdt & N. Y. Yao & D. Abanin & M. Fleischhauer & E. Demler, 2016. "Interferometric measurements of many-body topological invariants using mobile impurities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11994
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11994
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    Cited by:

    1. Nader Mostaan & Fabian Grusdt & Nathan Goldman, 2022. "Quantized topological pumping of solitons in nonlinear photonics and ultracold atomic mixtures," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    2. Milena Horvath & Sudipta Dhar & Arpita Das & Matthew D. Frye & Yanliang Guo & Jeremy M. Hutson & Manuele Landini & Hanns-Christoph Nägerl, 2024. "Bose-Einstein condensation of non-ground-state caesium atoms," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-7, December.

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