Work

Encoding a topological gauge theory on a ring-shaped Raman-coupled Bose gas

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Topological gauge theories constitute a framework for understanding strongly correlated quantum matter in terms of weakly interacting composite degrees of freedom. Their topological properties become evident when these theories are realized on a space of nontrivial topology. Here, we propose a scheme to realize a one-dimensional topological gauge theory, the so-called chiral BF theory, on a ring geometry. We obtain such a theory by dimensionally reducing Chern-Simons theory on a disk to the chiral BF theory defined on the ring. Then, we encode the theory into a Hamiltonian with a coupling between angular momentum and density, and we propose and numerically benchmark its realization in an optically dressed Bose gas confined in a ring-shaped trap. There, the topological properties of the underlying theory manifest themselves through a magnetic flux variable that is density dependent. We quantify such density-dependent magnetic flux in terms of the ground-state angular momentum and the chiral properties of the system through a Bogoliubov analysis. Our proposal enables the observation of topological features of the chiral BF theory that become manifest due to the nontrivial topology of the ring geometry.

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/s8fh-wrmb

Authors: Claudio Iacovelli, Josep Cabedo, Leticia Tarruell, Alessio Celi

Institutions: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Institute of Photonic Sciences, Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats

Language: English

Topic: Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625