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Coursebooks 2017-2018
Cold atoms and quantum simulation
PHYS-410
Lecturer(s) :
Brantut Jean-PhilippeLanguage:
English
Summary
This course describes the concept of quantum simulation and its implementation using cold atomic gases. The experimental tools and core theoretical concepts are presented, together with a few topics of ongoing research in the field.Content
Basic tools of the physics of cold atoms:
- Introduction: basics of atomic physics, alkali atoms. Reminders on the two level system, forces on two-level atoms. Cooling and trapping of neutral atoms.
- Ideal Bose and Fermi gases: reminders of quantum statistical mechanics, trapped gases. Experimental aspects.
- Effective Hamitonians: adiabatic elimination of fast degrees of freedom, moving frames
- Optical lattices: band theory and tight binding models, fundamental exemples
- Interactions between atoms: s-wave scattering, Feshbach resonances
Fundamental exemples of quantum simulations with cold atoms, chosen among:
- Interacting atoms in a lattice: Bose-Hubbard model, Superfluid to Mott insulator phase transition, Fermi Hubbard models.
- Quantum transport and disordered systems: Anderson localization, the Bose glass, many-body localization
- The unitary Fermi gas: Leggett theory of the BEC-BCS crossover, universality and Tan's relations
- Topological systems: artificial gauge fields and spin orbit coupling schemes, Haldane and Harper-Hofstatter models
Learning Prerequisites
Required courses
Quantum electrodynamics and quantum optics
Recommended courses
Solid state physics III
Important concepts to start the course
Basic quantum mechanics: hydrogen atoms, harmonic oscillators, two level systems, perturbation theory
Basic statistical mechanics: quantum statistics, density matrices
Quantum optics: two level system in an external field, Optical Bloch equations, stimulated and spontaneous emission
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:- Describe the basic ingredient of cold atoms experiments
- Analyze scientific articles in the field of cold atoms
- Recall the most significant outcomes of quantum simulation with cold atoms
Transversal skills
- Summarize an article or a technical report.
- Make an oral presentation.
Teaching methods
Lectures and exercise classes, paper clubs: each student will be given one research article to read and analyze, and then expose in class.
Assessment methods
Oral exam
Resources
Bibliography
Statistical mechanics, Kerson Huang
Laser cooling and trapping, Metclaf and Van der Straten
Bose-Einstein condensation in dilute gases, Pethick and Smith
Quantum Fluids, Anthony Leggett
Atomes et Rayonnements, lectures by Jean Dalibard at Collège de France
Ressources en bibliothèque
In the programs
- SemesterSpring
- Exam formOral
- Credits
4 - Subject examined
Cold atoms and quantum simulation - Lecture
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks - Exercises
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester
- SemesterSpring
- Exam formOral
- Credits
4 - Subject examined
Cold atoms and quantum simulation - Lecture
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks - Exercises
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester
- SemesterSpring
- Exam formOral
- Credits
4 - Subject examined
Cold atoms and quantum simulation - Lecture
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks - Exercises
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester
- SemesterSpring
- Exam formOral
- Credits
4 - Subject examined
Cold atoms and quantum simulation - Lecture
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks - Exercises
2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester
Reference week
Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | |
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8-9 | |||||
9-10 | |||||
10-11 | |||||
11-12 | |||||
12-13 | |||||
13-14 | GRA330 | ||||
14-15 | |||||
15-16 | GRA330 | ||||
16-17 | |||||
17-18 | |||||
18-19 | |||||
19-20 | |||||
20-21 | |||||
21-22 |
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- Autumn semester
- Winter sessions
- Spring semester
- Summer sessions
- Lecture in French
- Lecture in English
- Lecture in German