4 research outputs found

    One-dimensional phase transitions in a two-dimensional optical lattice

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    A phase transition for bosonic atoms in a two-dimensional anisotropic optical lattice is considered. If the tunnelling rates in two directions are different, the system can undergo a transition between a two-dimensional superfluid and a one-dimensional Mott insulating array of strongly coupled tubes. The connection to other lattice models is exploited in order to better understand the phase transition. Critical properties are obtained using quantum Monte Carlo calculations. These critical properties are related to correlation properties of the bosons and a criterion for commensurate filling is established.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figure

    A set-up for flexible geometry optical lattices

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    We have developed an alignment tool for optical lattices with arbitrary beam angles, allowing for optical potentials with a range of geometries and topographies. A calibration procedure has been introduced, giving a precision of 10 mrad in the chosen beam angle, and a high degree of flexibility. The tool has been tested in simplified experiments on the confinement and expansion of cold atoms in one-dimensional and two-dimensional optical lattices, and has proved to work well
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