18–23 Aug 2014
Nordita, Stockholm
Europe/Stockholm timezone

Meissner effect, artificial gauge fields, and topological Mott insulators

19 Aug 2014, 14:30
30m
Svedbergsalen (FD5) (Nordita, Stockholm)

Svedbergsalen (FD5)

Nordita, Stockholm

Speaker

Prof. Karyn Le Hur (Ecole Polytechnique, France)

Description

Abstract: In this talk, we explore non-trivial phases of matter with topological properties as well as strong interactions. First, we introduce simple models exemplifying that (spin) Meissner currents can persist in insulating phases of matter such as Mott insulators. The topological aspect in this system emerges through the flux quantization phenomenon as in a superconductor, despite the presence of a Mott gap. Then, we discuss a possibility to engineer a two-dimensional topological Mott insulator, i.e., a topological band insulator driven by interaction effects (only). Finally, we address a bosonic analogue of the Haldane model on the honeycomb lattice and study the interplay bewteen Josephson physics, artificial gauge fields and Mott physics. The models presented here can be realized in cold atom experiments, in circuit Quantum Electrodynamics and Josephson junction systems.

Presentation materials