Classifying novel phases of spinor atoms
File(s)0607253v4.pdf (147.88 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Barnett, R
Turner, A
Demler, E
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We consider many-body states of bosonic spinor atoms which, at the mean-field level, can be characterized by a single-particle wave function for the Bose-Einstein condensation and Mott insulating states. We describe and apply a classification scheme that makes explicit the spin symmetries of such states and enables one to naturally analyze their collective modes and topological excitations. Quite generally, the method allows classification of a spin F system as a polyhedron with 2F vertices. We apply the method to the many-body states of bosons with spins two and three. For spin-two atoms we find the ferromagnetic state, a continuum of nematic states, and a state having the symmetry of the point group of the regular tetrahedron. For spin-three atoms we obtain similar ferromagnetic and nematic phases as well as states having symmetries of various types of polyhedra with six vertices.
Date Issued
2006-11-03
Date Acceptance
2006-11-01
Citation
Physical Review Letters, 2006, 97 (18)
ISSN
0031-9007
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Letters
Volume
97
Issue
18
Copyright Statement
© 2006 American Physical Society
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
cond-mat.str-el
02 Physical Sciences
General Physics
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
180412