Abstract:
Low-dimensional quantum systems can host anyons, particles with exchange statistics that are neither bosonic nor fermionic. Despite indications of a wealth of exotic phenomena, the physics of anyons in one dimension (1D) remains largely unexplored. In this talk, we present the first experimental realization of Abelian anyons in 1D using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice, where we engineer the statistical parameter via a density-dependent Peierls phase. Our scheme, based on Floquet engineering, allows for arbitrary exchange statistics and tunable interactions, which we leverage to explore the dynamical behavior of two anyons undergoing quantum walks. We observe the anyonic Hanbury Brown-Twiss effect and the formation of bound states without effective on-site interactions. Then, once interactions are introduced, we observe spatially asymmetric transport in contrast to the symmetric dynamics of bosons and fermions. Our work enables the experimental exploration of the physics of 1D anyons.