Quantum gas microscopy of triangular-lattice Mott insulators

This poster highlights our recent advances in the quantum simulation of electronic systems employing ultracold atoms in geometrically frustrated lattices. Frustrated quantum systems, known for hosting exotic phases like spin liquids, present a formidable challenge to condensed matter theory due to their extensive ground state degeneracy. Our focus centers on a triangular lattice, a paradigmatic example of geometric frustration where the degree of frustration is tunable. The triangular Hubbard model is a paradigm system for the study of kinetic frustration, which shows up in destructive interference between paths of holes, leading to antiferromagnetic polarons in hole-doped regime even at elevated high-temperatures. In our work, we showcase the realization of a Mott insulator of lithium-6 on a symmetric triangular lattice with a lattice spacing of 1003 nm [1]. Spin removal techniques allow us to resolve individual spins and measure nearest neighbor spin-spin correlations across different interaction strengths. We find good agreement with numerical linked cluster expansion calculations and Quantum Monte Carlo simulations [2]. In the future, we will explore bound states in strongly repulsive interacting systems. Expanding our scope, we plan to delve into the transport properties of two-dimensional Fermi-Hubbard systems. We will leverage additional optical potentials generated by a Digital Micro-mirror Device (DMD). Projecting repulsive light using a DMD will enable the realization of a kagome Hubbard system, offering a unique platform for studying geometric frustration and predicted topological phases.

[1] Mongkolkiattichai et al., Phys. Rev. A 108, L061301 (2023)

[2] Garwood et al., Phys. Rev. A 106, 013310 (2022)