Mott–Hubbard-type Quantum Phase Transition (IMAGE)

University of Innsbruck

Mott–Hubbard-type Quantum Phase Transition

Caption

Physicists can observe quantum mechanical phase transitions using ultracold atoms (yellow) in optical lattices (white surface). Originally, the existence of phase transitions was predicted for certain metals and they describe the transition from a conductor to an insulator. For weak interactions the particles are spread out over the lattice in a superfluid state (front); a deep lattice potential is necessary to confine them into single lattices (back).

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Uni Innsbruck, Austria

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