CaltechAUTHORS
Published February 24, 2013 | Version Supplemental Material + Submitted
Journal Article Open

Quantum dynamics of a mobile spin impurity

Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
  • 2. ROR icon University of Geneva
  • 3. ROR icon Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
  • 4. ROR icon University of Strathclyde

Abstract

One of the elementary processes in quantum magnetism is the propagation of spin excitations. Here we study the quantum dynamics of a deterministically created spin-impurity atom, as it propagates in a one-dimensional lattice system. We probe the spatial probability distribution of the impurity at different times using single-site-resolved imaging of bosonic atoms in an optical lattice. In the Mott-insulating regime, the quantum-coherent propagation of a magnetic excitation in the Heisenberg model can be observed using a post-selection technique. Extending the study to the superfluid regime of the bath, we quantitatively determine how the bath affects the motion of the impurity, showing evidence of polaronic behaviour. The experimental data agree with theoretical predictions, allowing us to determine the effect of temperature on the impurity motion. Our results provide a new approach to studying quantum magnetism, mobile impurities in quantum fluids and polarons in lattice systems.

Additional Information

© 2013 Macmillan Publishers Limited. Received 26 September 2012; accepted 21 January 2013; published online 24 February 2013. We thank C. Weitenberg for his contribution to the addressing scheme. This work was supported by MPG, DFG, EU (NAMEQUAM, AQUTE, Marie Curie Fellowship to M.C.) and JSPS (Postdoctoral Fellowship for Research Abroad to T.F.) and in part by the Swiss NSF under MaNEP and Division II. Author contributions All authors contributed extensively to the work presented in this paper.

Attached Files

Submitted - 1209.6468v1.pdf

Supplemental Material - nphys2561-s1.pdf

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1209.6468v1.pdf

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Additional details

Identifiers

Eprint ID
67447
Resolver ID
CaltechAUTHORS:20160527-105926301

Related works

Describes
http://arxiv.org/abs/1209.6468 (URL)

Funding

Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
European Union (EU)
NAMEQUAM
AQUTE
Marie Curie Fellowship
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
MaNEP and Division II

Dates

Created
2016-05-27
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Updated
2021-11-11
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