A discrete degree of freedom can be engineered to match the Hamiltonian of particles moving in a real-space lattice potential. Such synthetic dimensions are powerful tools for quantum simulation because of the control they offer and the ability to create configurations difficult to access in real space. Here, in an ultracold 84Sr atom, we demonstrate a synthetic-dimension based on Rydberg levels coupled with millimeter waves. Tunneling amplitudes between synthetic lattice sites and on-site potentials are set by the millimeter-wave amplitudes and detunings respectively. Alternating weak and strong tunneling in a one-dimensional configuration realizes the single-particle Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) Hamiltonian, a paradigmatic model of topological matter. Band structure is probed through optical excitation from the ground state to Rydberg levels, revealing symmetry-protected topological edge states at zero energy. Edge-state energies are robust to perturbations of tunneling-rates that preserve chiral symmetry, but can be shifted by the introduction of on-site potentials.
We show that the non-homogeneous charged layer distribution of the LaAlO 3 /SrT iO 3 heterostructure undergoing interface reconstruction is the density wave ground state of the well known anharmonic lattice model described by the λφ 4 continuum model. The two dimensional planar structure of the charged surfaces with alternating polarity leads to an effective one dimensional model, with fermions coupled to the planar distortions acting as long wavelength optical phonons in one dimension. The Hamiltonian with the desired anharmonicity for describing the non-homogeneous density wave type distortion is the same one that describes the fermion number fractionalization in polyacetylene. The general solution of this theory is the Jacobi elliptic sine function sn(x;k), which in the limiting case of lattice distortion being localized gives the kink/anti-kink solution.
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