Competing orders in one-dimensional half-integer fermionic cold atoms: A conformal field theory approach

The physical properties of arbitrary half-integer spins F = N − 1 / 2 fermionic cold atoms loaded into a one-dimensional optical lattice are investigated by means of a conformal field theory approach. We show that for attractive interactions two different superfluid phases emerge for F ⩾ 3 / 2 : A B...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear physics. B 2008-08, Vol.798 (3), p.443-469
Main Authors: Lecheminant, P., Azaria, P., Boulat, E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bosonization
Cold fermionic atoms
Condensed Matter
Conformal field theory
Exotic superfluidity
Other
Parafermions
Physics
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Summary:The physical properties of arbitrary half-integer spins F = N − 1 / 2 fermionic cold atoms loaded into a one-dimensional optical lattice are investigated by means of a conformal field theory approach. We show that for attractive interactions two different superfluid phases emerge for F ⩾ 3 / 2 : A BCS pairing phase, and a molecular superfluid phase which is formed from bound-states made of 2 N fermions. In the low-energy approach, the competition between these instabilities and charge-density waves is described in terms of Z N parafermionic degrees of freedom. The quantum phase transition for F = 3 / 2 , 5 / 2 is universal and shown to belong to the Ising and three-state Potts universality classes respectively. In contrast, for F ⩾ 7 / 2 , the transition is non-universal. For a filling of one atom per site, a Mott transition occurs and the nature of the possible Mott-insulating phases are determined.
ISSN:0550-3213
1873-1562
DOI:10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2007.12.034