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

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  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, Vol. 99, Issue 11; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.110401; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English