Project C3

Interacting fermions in topological lattices

Christoph Becker, Klaus Sengstock

In project C3 we study dynamics of interacting fermionic quantum gases of Ytterbium (Yb) atoms in topologically non-trivial optical lattices. We will closely collaborate with projects A6, B2, B3, B8, B9, C1, C4 and C9. A key question that we want to address is the role of interactions, defects and dissipation in such topological systems and whether collective effects caused by these interactions can give rise to novel phases of matter or - on the contrary - prohibit the emergence of non-trivial topology. We exploit the unique properties of Yb to dynamically realize defects in state-dependent lattices and explore edge state dynamics in synthetic dimensions.