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Nonequilibrium Quantum Phase Transition in a Hybrid Atom-Optomechanical System
Niklas Mann1, M Reza Bakhtiari1, Axel Pelster2
1I. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Hamburg, Jungiusstraße 9, 20355 Hamburg, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|February 27, 2018
Summary
We discovered a new quantum phase transition in a hybrid system of atoms and a nanomembrane. This transition leads to strong entanglement between the atoms and the membrane.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Condensed matter physics
- Optomechanics
Background:
- Hybrid quantum systems integrate distinct quantum components.
- Optomechanical interactions couple light fields with mechanical elements.
- Ultracold atoms in optical lattices offer controllable quantum states.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate a hybrid quantum system combining a nanomembrane and ultracold atoms.
- Explore the effects of optomechanical interaction and atom-membrane coupling.
- Identify potential quantum phase transitions and emergent phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Formulation of a hybrid quantum many-body system.
- Optomechanical interaction of a nanomembrane with a cavity light field.
- Ultracold atom gas confined in an optical lattice.
- Adiabatic elimination of the light field to derive an effective Hamiltonian.
Main Results:
- An effective Hamiltonian reveals competition between atom localization and membrane displacement.
- A nonequilibrium quantum phase transition occurs at critical atom-membrane interaction.
- The system transitions from a symmetric localized state to a symmetry-broken state.
- The lowest collective excitation energy vanishes at the transition.
- Strong atom-membrane entanglement is generated.
Conclusions:
- Nonresonant coupling between atoms and the membrane drives a quantum phase transition.
- The observed transition is a novel example of a nonequilibrium quantum phase transition.
- The hybrid system exhibits strong quantum correlations and entanglement.
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