Evidence of spin liquid with hard-core bosons in a square lattice

We show that laser assisted hopping of hard core bosons in a square optical lattice can be described by an antiferromagnetic $J_{1}$-$J_{2}$ XY model with tunable ratio of $J_{2}/J_{1}$. We numerically investigate the phase diagram of the $J_{1}$-$J_{2}$ XY model using both the tensor network algorithm for infinite systems and the exact diagonalization for small clusters and find strong evidence that in the intermediate region around $$, there is a spin liquid phase with vanishing magnetization and valence bond orders, which interconnects the Neel state on the $J_{2}\ll J_{1}$ side and the stripe antiferromagnetic phase on the $$ side. This finding opens up the possibility of studying the exotic spin liquid phase in a realistic experimental system using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Supersolid and charge density-wave states from anisotropic interaction in an optical lattice

We show anisotropy of the dipole interaction between magnetic atoms or polar molecules can stabilize new quantum phases in an optical lattice. Using a well controlled numerical method based on the tensor network algorithm, we calculate phase diagram of the resultant effective Hamiltonian in a two-dimensional square lattice - an anisotropic Hubbard model of hard-core bosons with attractive interaction in one direction and repulsive interaction in the other direction. Besides the conventional superfluid and the Mott insulator states, we find the striped and the checkerboard charge density wave states and the supersolid phase that interconnect the superfluid and the striped solid states. The transition to the supersolid phase has a mechanism different from the case of the soft-core Bose Hubbard model.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures

Topological Bose-Mott Insulators in a One-Dimensional Optical Superlattice

We study topological properties of the Bose-Hubbard model with repulsive interactions in a one-dimensional optical superlattice. We find that the Mott insulator states of the single-component (two-component) Bose-Hubbard model under fractional fillings are topological insulators characterized by a nonzero charge (or spin) Chern number with nontrivial edge states. For ultracold atomic experiments, we show that the topological Chern number can be detected through measuring the density profiles of the bosonic atoms in a harmonic trap.Comment: 5 pages, published versio

Intentions and Attitudes Towards Parenthood and Fertility Awareness Among Chinese University Students in Hong Kong: A Comparison with Western Samples

STUDY QUESTION What are the levels of awareness regarding female fertility and the intentions and attitudes towards parenthood among Chinese university students in Hong Kong compared with their counterparts in the West? SUMMARY ANSWER Chinese university students in Hong Kong were similarly over-optimistic about the age-related fertility decline, although they were less inclined to have children and undergo fertility treatment compared with their Western counterparts. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Past studies of highly educated young adults in Europe and the USA have found that they are not sufficiently aware of the age-related decline in female fertility, and falsely believe that advanced reproductive treatments such as IVF will overcome fertility problems associated with age. Little is known about the perceptions of Chinese students in Hong Kong, a modernized Chinese city where the fertility rate is among the lowest in the world. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION An online cross-sectional survey of Chinese university students in Hong Kong was conducted in 2013. Results were compared with two similar studies in Sweden and the USA. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A total of 367 university students in Hong Kong (275 female, 92 male; mean age 23) responded to an e-mail invitation to participate in an online survey. Intentions and attitudes towards parenthood and awareness regarding female fertility were assessed using the Swedish Fertility Awareness Questionnaire. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Like their Western counterparts, a large proportion of Chinese university students underestimated the age-related fertility decline (92%) and overestimated the fertility treatment success rate (66%). However, they were less inclined to have children, were more aware of and less concerned with infertility and were less motivated to seek solutions in the event of a fertility problem. These comparisons were significant at P \u3c 0.05. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Self-selection bias was inevitable in the questionnaire survey, and the anonymous nature of the survey did not permit the collection of characteristics of non-responders. International comparisons warrant caution because the Hong Kong sample was older than the US sample (mean age 20), but not older than the Sweden sample (mean age 24). WIDER IMPLICATION OF FINDINGS While this study was consistent with past Western studies on the lack of fertility awareness among highly educated young people, the findings reveal significant cultural differences in family planning and responses to infertility between Asia and the West