Topological Molecules and Topological Localization of a Rydberg Electron on a Classical Orbit

It is common knowledge that atoms can form molecules if they attract each other. Here we show that it is possible to create molecules where bound states of atoms are not the result of the attractive interactions but have the topological origin. That is, bound states of atoms correspond to topologically protected edge states of a topological model. Such topological molecules can be realized if the interaction strength between ultra-cold atoms is properly modulated in time. Similar mechanism allows one to realize topologically protected localization of an electron on a classical orbit if a Rydberg atom is perturbed by a properly modulated microwave field.

Ref: https://journals.aps.org/pra/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevA.106.L031301

The seminar will be held in the in-person form in room A-1-08 at 10:15