Transition from a Two-Dimensional Superfluid to a One-Dimensional Mott Insulator

Journal Article · Fri Sep 14 04:00:00 EDT 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.99.110401· OSTI ID:21028199

Bergkvist, Sara; Rosengren, Anders; Saers, Robert; Lundh, Emil; Rehn, Magnus; Kastberg, Anders ^[1]

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1. Department of Theoretical Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, AlbaNova, SE-106 91 Stockholm (Sweden)

A two-dimensional system of atoms in an anisotropic optical lattice is studied theoretically. If the system is finite in one direction, it is shown to exhibit a transition between a two-dimensional superfluid and a one-dimensional Mott insulating chain of superfluid tubes. Monte Carlo simulations are consistent with the expectation that the phase transition is of Kosterlitz-Thouless type. The effect of the transition on experimental time-of-flight images is discussed.

• OSTI ID: 21028199
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 99; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANISOTROPY
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
MONTE CARLO METHOD
ONE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
SUPERFLUIDITY
TIME-OF-FLIGHT METHOD
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS