Synthetic dimensions in ultracold polar molecules

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Condensed matter physics
• Ultracold atomic physics

Background:

• Synthetic dimensions offer novel ways to explore fundamental physics by extending spatial dimensions.
• Ultracold matter experiments provide a controllable platform for engineering synthetic systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the use of molecular rotational states as synthetic dimensions.
• To investigate the creation of topological band structures and emergent quantum phases in synthetic dimensions.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing rotational states of ultracold molecules as synthetic lattice sites.
• Employing microwaves to control inter-site tunnelings between synthetic sites.
• Inducing dipole interactions between molecules in a real-space lattice.

Main Results:

• Successfully engineered synthetic dimensions with hundreds of lattice sites using molecular rotational states.
• Demonstrated controllable synthetic inter-site tunnelings, enabling topological band structures.
• Observed emergent quantum string and membrane phases, with condensates, driven by dipole interactions.

Conclusions:

• Rotational states of ultracold molecules are a versatile platform for creating synthetic dimensions.
• Synthetic dimensions with molecular interactions exhibit rich emergent quantum phenomena.
• Local measurements of rotational state populations are effective for detecting these novel quantum phases.