Topological spin models in Rydberg lattices

Journal article

We show that resonant dipole–dipole interactions between Rydberg atoms in a triangular lattice can give rise to artificial magnetic fields for spin excitations. We consider the coherent dipole–dipole coupling between np and ns Rydberg states and derive an effective spin-1/2 Hamiltonian for the np excitations. By breaking time-reversal symmetry via external fields, we engineer complex hopping amplitudes for transitions between two rectangular sub-lattices. The phase of these hopping amplitudes depends on the direction of the hop. This gives rise to a staggered, artificial magnetic field which induces non-trivial topological effects. We calculate the single-particle band structure and investigate its Chern numbers as a function of the lattice parameters and the detuning between the two sub-lattices. We identify extended parameter regimes where the Chern number of the lowest band is C=1C=1 or C=2C=2 .

Authors: Kiffner, M; O’Brien, E; Jaksch, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Journal: Applied Physics B
• Volume: 123
• Issue: 46
• Publication date: 2017-01-16
• Acceptance date: 2016-11-12
• DOI: 10.1007/s00340-016-6596-4
• EISSN: 1432-0649
• ISSN: 0946-2171