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Cooling an Optically Trapped Ultracold Fermi Gas by Periodical Driving
Published on: March 30, 2017
From classical to quantum glasses with ultracold polar molecules
Wolfgang Lechner1, Peter Zoller
1Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Austrian Academy of Sciences, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria and Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
We investigate ultracold polar molecules exhibiting glassy dynamics. Quantum and thermal fluctuations are comparable, allowing tunable frustration and potential observation of glassy anomalous diffusion and dynamical heterogeneity.
Area of Science:
- Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Dynamics
Background:
- Ultracold polar molecules offer a unique platform for studying quantum many-body phenomena.
- Bilayer systems provide tunable interactions and dimensionality, crucial for exploring complex dynamics.
- Glassy behavior, characterized by slow relaxation and heterogeneity, is a key area in condensed matter physics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of a bilayer system of ultracold polar molecules.
- To explore the interplay between quantum fluctuations and thermal fluctuations in driving glassy behavior.
- To identify experimental signatures of glassy anomalous diffusion and dynamical heterogeneity.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of a bilayer system of ultracold polar molecules.
- Analysis of relaxation times and dynamical heterogeneity.
- Consideration of quantum fluctuations relative to thermal fluctuations.
- Proposing experimental observation using internal molecular degrees of freedom and optical detection.
Main Results:
- The system exhibits classical and quantum glassy behavior.
- Long tails in relaxation time and dynamical heterogeneity are characteristic features.
- Quantum and thermal fluctuations are of comparable magnitude.
- The degree of frustration is tunable via interlayer distance.
Conclusions:
- The studied system provides a promising avenue for exploring quantum glassy dynamics.
- Tunable frustration allows for controlled investigation of glassy phenomena.
- Experimental observation of glassy anomalous diffusion and dynamical heterogeneity is feasible.
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