Exploring Non-Abelian Geometric Phases in Spin-1 Ultracold Atoms

Bharath, H. M.; Boguslawski, Matthew; Barrios, Maryrose; Xin, Lin und Chapman, Michael S. (2019): Exploring Non-Abelian Geometric Phases in Spin-1 Ultracold Atoms. In: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 123, No. 17, 173202

Abstract

The spin vector of a spin-1 system, unlike that of a spin-1/2 system, can lie anywhere on or inside the Bloch sphere representing the phase space. As a consequence, the geometrical and topological properties of the spin-1 phase space of quantum states are richer and require a generalization of Berry's phase. For special trajectories passing through the center of the Bloch sphere (singular loops), the geometric phase has a non-Abelian nature. Here, we experimentally explore this geometric phase for singular loops in a spin-1 quantum system using ultracold Rb-87 atoms confined in an optical trap using microwave and rf control fields.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Physics
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
• ISSN: 0031-9007
• Language: English