Two-dimensional dynamics of ultracold atoms in optical lattices

We analyze the dynamics of ultracold atoms in optical lattices induced by a sudden shift of the underlying harmonic trapping potential. In order to study the effect of strong interactions, dimensionality, and lattice topology on transport properties, we consider bosonic atoms with arbitrarily strong...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Physical review. A, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics Vol. 76; no. 5
Main Authors:	Snoek, Michiel, Hofstetter, Walter
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States 13-11-2007
Subjects:	ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS ATOMS BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION CENTER-OF-MASS SYSTEM COOLING EQUILIBRIUM HEXAGONAL LATTICES LASER RADIATION OPTICAL MODELS POTENTIALS RELAXATION STRONG INTERACTIONS TEMPERATURE RANGE 0000-0013 K TETRAGONAL LATTICES TRAPPING TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
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Summary:	We analyze the dynamics of ultracold atoms in optical lattices induced by a sudden shift of the underlying harmonic trapping potential. In order to study the effect of strong interactions, dimensionality, and lattice topology on transport properties, we consider bosonic atoms with arbitrarily strong repulsive interactions on a two-dimensional square lattice and a hexagonal lattice. On the square lattice we find insulating behavior for weakly interacting atoms and slow relaxation for strong interactions, even when a Mott plateau is present, which in one dimension blocks the dynamics. On the hexagonal lattice the center of mass relaxes to the new equilibrium for any interaction strength.
ISSN:	1050-2947 1094-1622
DOI:	10.1103/PhysRevA.76.051603