Time-reversal symmetry breaking in 1D superfluids

6 July 2017

Photo: AG Sengstock

We found a superfluid which spontaneously breaks the time-reversal symmetry in one-dimensional optical lattices. This twisted superfluid is characterized by an exponentially closing energy gap and long-range correlations. The quantum phase transition to the twisted superfluid phase is driven by interaction-induced pair tunneling. The phase diagram of the extended Hubbard model shows various quantum phases such as a supersolid, a pair superfluid, a pair supersolid, and an unconventional Mott insulator.

Phys. Rev. A 94, 011603(R) (2016)

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