Cavity-Mediated Unconventional Pairing in Ultracold Fermionic Atoms

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Condensed matter physics
• Ultracold atomic gases

Background:

• Ultracold fermionic atoms in optical lattices are a key platform for simulating complex quantum phenomena.
• Understanding pairing interactions is crucial for exploring superfluidity and topological states of matter.
• Cavity-mediated interactions offer a tunable mechanism to control atomic behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate long-range pairing interactions in ultracold fermionic atoms mediated by cavity coupling.
• To explore the emergence of exotic superfluid states, including topologically ordered chiral superfluids.
• To identify pathways for creating novel quantum states by controlling interaction competition.

Main Methods:

• Confining ultracold fermionic atoms within a two-dimensional square optical lattice.
• Utilizing cavity coupling to mediate long-range pairing interactions.
• Tuning local atomic interactions via Feshbach resonance or magnetic fields.

Main Results:

• Identified three degenerate pairing symmetries in the absence of perturbations.
• Demonstrated the transition from a topologically trivial s-wave superfluid to topologically ordered chiral superfluids.
• Showcased the creation of Majorana edge states in the driven superfluid system.

Conclusions:

• Cavity-mediated interactions provide a powerful tool for engineering exotic quantum states.
• The competition between long-range and short-range interactions is key to realizing novel superfluid phases.
• This research offers a novel approach to creating topological superfluids and Majorana states.