Open AccessSimulating Dirac, Weyl and Maxwell equations with cold atoms in optical lattices
Author(s) -
Yan-Qing Zhu,
DanWei Zhang,
Shi-Liang Zhu
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
wuli xuebao
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.199
H-Index - 47
ISSN - 1000-3290
DOI - 10.7498/aps.68.20181929
Subject(s) - physics , maxwell's equations , hamiltonian (control theory) , ultracold atom , dirac equation , equations of motion , dirac (video compression format) , quantum , classical mechanics , quantum mechanics , mathematical optimization , mathematics , neutrino
Relativistic wave equations, such as Dirac, Weyl or Maxwell equations, are fundamental equations which we use to describe the dynamics of the microscopic particles. On the other hand, recent experimental and theoretical studies have shown that almost all parameters in cold atomic systems are precisely tunable, so the cold atom systems are considered as an ideal platform to perform quantum simulations. It can be used to study some topics in high energy and condensed matter physics. In this article, we will first introduce the ideas and methods for engineering the Hamiltonian of atoms, mainly related to the theories of laser-assisted tunneling. Based on these methods, one can simulate the equations of motion of relativistic particles and observe some interesting behaviors which are hard to be observed in other systems. The article reviews these recent advances.