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Gain engineering and atom lasing in a topological edge state in synthetic dimensions
Takuto Tsuno1, Shintaro Taie1, Yosuke Takasu2
1Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
Nature Communications
|December 13, 2025
Summary
Researchers engineered effective gain in ultracold atoms using evaporative cooling. This enabled Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in a topological edge state, creating a topological atom laser.
Area of Science:
- Quantum mechanics
- Atomic physics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Open quantum systems require precise control of quantum states.
- Non-Hermitian quantum mechanics models systems interacting with their environment.
- Photonic systems offer gain/loss control for non-Hermitian studies, unlike ultracold atoms where gain is difficult.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer effective gain in ultracold atomic gases.
- To explore non-Hermitian quantum mechanics in atomic systems beyond loss control.
- To achieve Bose-Einstein condensation in excited eigenstates of a synthetic lattice.
Main Methods:
- Utilized evaporative cooling of selected thermal atoms.
- Engineered effective gain via controlled cooling.
- Implemented a synthetic hyperfine lattice.
Main Results:
- Achieved Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) in excited eigenstates.
- Demonstrated BEC formation in a topological edge state of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger lattice.
- Created a topological atom laser analogous to atomic laser oscillations.
Conclusions:
- Evaporative cooling can engineer effective gain in ultracold atoms.
- This technique allows exploration of non-Hermitian physics in atomic systems.
- Topological atom lasers are realized in synthetic lattices.
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