Abstract

We present a technique for detecting topological invariants-Chern numbers-from time-of-flight images of ultracold atoms. We show that the Chern numbers of integer quantum Hall states of lattice fermions leave their fingerprints in the atoms momentum distribution. We analytically demonstrate that the number of local maxima in the momentum distribution is equal to the Chern number in two limiting cases, for large hopping anisotropy and in the continuum limit. In addition, our numerical simulations beyond these two limits show that these local maxima persist for a range of parameters. Thus, an everyday observable in cold atom experiments can serve as a useful tool to characterize and visualize quantum states with nontrivial topology.

Publication Details
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2011
Volume
84
DOI
10.1103/PhysRevA.84.063629
Journal
Physical Review A
Contributors