In recent decades, artificial quantum "materials" built from ultracold atoms, ultracold molecules, and light have enabled the exploration of a range of phenomena of relevance to condensed matter physics, as well as the realization of entirely new states of matter with no direct analogs. Recently, the introduction of approaches based on synthetic lattices or synthetic dimensions, by which transport can be explored not in a space but in alternative degrees of freedom like the spin of an atom, has further broadened the scope of problems that can be addressed by quantum matter based on atoms, molecules, and light. In this talk I'll review such synthetic approaches to analog quantum simulation experiments, and I'll discuss three "synthetic lattice" platforms -- based on laser-coupled momentum states of ultracold atoms, microwave-coupled Rydberg levels of trapped atoms, and synthetically-coupled (classical) mechanical oscillators -- that we employ for the exploration of novel kinds of lattice transport phenomena.
We are hosting the Fall 2020 JQI Seminars virtually as Zoom meetings. JQI members and affiliates will receive a Zoom link in an email announcing each seminar. For those without access to Zoom, we will also be live streaming each seminar on YouTube. Once a seminar starts, you will find a link to the live stream on our YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/user/JQInews