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Tunable Wigner states with dipolar atoms and molecules
J C Cremon1, G M Bruun, S M Reimann
1Mathematical Physics, LTH, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden.
Physical Review Letters
|January 15, 2011
Summary
We explore how Wigner localization arises in trapped atoms and molecules. Quantum statistics influence transitions between Wigner states, revealing complex interplay with symmetry in few-body physics.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Atomic and molecular physics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Trapped atoms and molecules with aligned dipole moments are crucial for studying quantum phenomena.
- Understanding few-body physics in strongly correlated systems is a key challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emergence of Wigner localization in trapped dipolar systems.
- To analyze the role of coupling strength, dipole orientation, and quantum statistics in Wigner state formation and transitions.
Main Methods:
- Exact numerical diagonalization for the strongly correlated regime.
- Classical analysis for describing individual Wigner states.
- Investigation of transitions between Wigner states by varying dipole tilt angle.
Main Results:
- Wigner localization emerges with increasing coupling strength.
- Wigner states display nontrivial geometries due to anisotropic interactions.
- Transitions between Wigner states are influenced by quantum statistics and symmetry properties, despite classical descriptions of individual states.
Conclusions:
- The study provides insights into Wigner localization and state transitions in trapped dipolar systems.
- Results highlight the interplay between classical and quantum effects, particularly symmetry, in few-body physics.
- Findings are relevant to experimentally realistic systems.
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