Cold atoms meet lattice gauge theory

Area of Science:

• Quantum Field Theory
• Particle Physics
• Quantum Simulation

Background:

• Bosons are more experimentally accessible than fermions, motivating their use in quantum field theory models.
• Exploring bosonic matter in lattice models can uncover novel physical phenomena.
• Atomic simulators offer a platform for studying paradigmatic particle physics models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review quantum field theory models by substituting fermionic matter with bosonic matter.
• To investigate new physics and phenomena arising from this substitution, particularly confinement and deconfinement.
• To present activities in quantum simulations for lattice field theories by the Quantum Optics Theory group at ICFO and collaborators.

Main Methods:

• Consideration of bosonic matter in dynamical lattices, including bosonic Schwinger and Bose-Hubbard models.
• Utilizing atomic simulators for paradigmatic models like the Creutz-Hubbard ladder and Gross-Neveu-Wilson models.
• Designing experimentally friendly simulators for particle physics models.

Main Results:

• The substitution of fermions with bosons leads to new physics and novel phenomena.
• Gained insights into confinement and the dynamics of the deconfinement transition.
• Demonstrated the utility of atomic simulators for quantum simulations of lattice field theories.

Conclusions:

• Replacing fermionic matter with bosonic matter in quantum field theory models is a fruitful approach for discovering new physics.
• Atomic simulations provide a powerful tool for experimentally investigating complex particle physics models.
• Ongoing efforts focus on developing practical quantum simulators for particle physics research.