Abstract

Ultracold atoms in optical lattice are proving to be powerful novel model systems for investigations in condensed matter physics, quantum information processing and atomic and molecular physics. They have begun to serve as versatile quantum simulators with novel and outstanding control possibilities. The underlying lattice geometry, the lattice strength and the interactions between the atoms can be tuned almost freely over a wider parameter range. Such a clean model environment – without lattice defects - can be used as a testbed for the investigation of strongly interacting quantum systems [1,2], which lie at the heart of e.g. High-Tc superconductivity and could possibly allow to elucidate many fundamental questions in these highly complex many-body phenomena. Furthermore, ultracold atoms in optical lattices have enabled unique opportunities for quantum information processing, where several massively parallel acting quantum gates can enable the generation of large scale entanglement and offer a unique environment for the realization of "one-way" quantum computers. Recent progress in high resolution addressing of single atoms on single lattice sites, are encouraging for the realization of such sytems in the near future.

© 2007 IEEE