Rydberg atoms can be used to produce magnetic crystals in an optical lattice
It is a situation familiar from one's own living environment: relations between neighbours can be intense, yet also characterised by sensitivities. Complex quantum systems can be imagined in a similar way – especially when magnetism is involved. A team headed by Christian Groß in the department of Immanuel Bloch, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching, is investigating such a system, which takes its inspiration from the crystals of magnetic solids. However, the artificial crystal produced by the researchers in Garching consists of a lattice of laser light that traps rubidium atoms. The researchers pump up some of these atoms using special laser light, turning them into exotic, gigantic atoms. These form quantum crystals whose behaviour can answer fundamental questions not only about magnetism.