Quantum simulation of bilayer Hubbard systems and beyond

Ultracold atoms in optical lattices offer a unique platform for realizing and studying novel quantum phenomena in many-body systems. Of particular interest is the quantum simulation of fundamental models for strongly correlated matter such as the Hubbard model. While the two-dimensional Hubbard model has been extensively studied in experiments over the last few years, more complex systems are largely unexplored.

Our aim is to create systems beyond the 2D Hubbard model by extending our optical lattices towards superlattices. Recently, we have made use of such a superlattice in the out-of-plane direction to realize a coupled bilayer Hubbard model in which we could study magnetic correlations [1].

Currently, we are setting up an in-plane superlattice which provides us with a chain of double wells with tunable coupling strength. Its possible applications are versatile, reaching from a tool to implement advanced cooling schemes to the emulation of interacting topological and Floquet-driven systems.