Project: Magnetic-Atom Quantum Simulator

Acronym	MAQS
Project Topic	We propose to realize a novel quantum simulator made of magnetic atoms in periodic potentials, which will enable the investigation of quantum-many body problems associated with long-range dipole-dipole interactions. Our proposal is based on a series of key new developments. We will develop new tools to increase the strength of dipole-dipole interactions (shorter-period UV lattices, magneto-association of magnetic atoms into molecules with a stronger magnetic moment), and to control and measure their interaction at the nano-scale (using super-resolution techniques and narrow spectroscopic lines). We will develop new probes to certify the presence of quantum correlations, which are expected to be particularly strong in these many-body long-range interacting systems. We will either probe correlations in real space (microscope, double-well lattices), in momentum space (Doppler spectroscopy), or in the spin sector. These probes will be developed in a joint theory-experiment endeavor, to find the best ways to define and quantify entanglement. The breakthrough realization of quantum simulators based on lattice-trapped magnetic atoms will allow us to explore for the first time two families of problems. First, we will probe low energy quantum phases stabilized by dipolar interactions; and second, out-of-equilibrium dynamics and quantum thermalization dominated by long-range interactions. A number of exotic phases will be within experimental reach, such as the checkerboard or stripe phases, or peculiar phases of spin systems with long-range interactions. We will aim at protocols to certify the nature of the quantum correlations within these systems. Such correlations can be explored in four different complementary setups: 1) an Er lattice gas within a Dy bath (Innsbruck); strongly dipolar lattice gases made of either 2) Dy atoms in UV lattices (Stuttgart) or 3) Dy2 molecules in standard lattices (Pisa/Florence), and 4) Cr atoms realizing lattice spin models (Paris). This project fits the Quantum Simulation part of the call. Magnetic atoms are the only currently available long-range interacting system which is collisionally stable and which possesses a scalable (>>100) number of particles. However, up to now dipolar interactions remain too weak for a number of applications. We propose technical improvements which will drive these systems into the relevant regime where novel quantum phases and out-of-equilibrium phenomena are expected to emerge. If our goals are fulfilled, lattice gases made of magnetic atoms will become a new competitive platform for quantum simulation, having access to a number of fundamental phenomena, many of them unexplored so far (magnetism of localized or itinerant long-range interacting spin; charge ordering in extended Hubbard models; localization of disordered long-range interacting systems). Our consortium aims at developing new tools to diagnose the non-classical nature of the quantum many-body states produced in the experiment (entanglement, Bell correlations). If successful, our project will have a lasting impact on the field of quantum simulation in general, in connection with central topics in quantum condensed matter and quantum information science.
Network	QuantERA
Call	QuantERA Call 2019

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
1	Laboratoire de physique des lasers	Coordinator	France
2	LABORATOIRE DE PHYSIQUE DE L'ENS DE LYON	Partner	France
3	University of Stuttgart 5. Physikalisches Institut	Partner	Germany
4	Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences	Partner	Austria
5	ICFO- The Institute of Photonic Sciences	Partner	Spain
6	CNR - Istituto Nazionale di Ottica	Partner	Italy
7	Institute of Physics Polish Academy of Sciences	Partner	Poland