Exploring strongly correlated quantum matter using cavity quantum electrodynamics

Details
Speaker Name/Affiliation
Jean-Philippe Brantut, Fondation Sandoz Chair in Physics of Quantum Gases / EPFL
When
-
Seminar Type
Location (Room)
JILA Auditorium
Location Other (Room)
(NOTE ROOM CHANGE)
Event Details & Abstracts

Abstract: Cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) is one of the most powerful framework to observe and leverage quantum phenomena. While it has been thoroughly studied for simple quantum systems such as two-level systems or harmonic oscillators, it has only recently become available for complex, correlated quantum many-body systems. In the last five years, we have developed systems combining cavity QED with ultra-cold Fermi gases [1]. In this talk, I will describe several intriguing consequences of the interplay of strong atom-atom and strong light-matter coupling, such as the onset of pair-polaritons, i.e. coherent excitations mixing Fermion-pairs and photons [2] or the coupling of density fluctuations with light [3]. I will then present the use of the cavity to induce  long-range interactions in a strongly-interacting Fermi gas, leading to density-wave order, a system of direct relevance to condensed matter physics. Last I will outline the perspectives open by the convergence of cavity QED with Fermionic quantum matter, in particular the possibility of programming cavity-mediated interactions at will between atoms.