High Controllable and Robust 2D Spin-Orbit Coupling for Quantum Gases

Abstract

We report the realization of a robust and highly controllable two-dimensional (2D) spin-orbit (SO) coupling with topological non-trivial band structure. By applying a retro-reflected 2D optical lattice, phase tunable Raman couplings are formed into the anti-symmetric Raman lattice structure, and generate the 2D SO coupling with precise inversion and $C_4$ symmetries, leading to considerably enlarged topological regions. The life time of the 2D SO coupled Bose-Einstein condensate reaches several seconds, which enables the exploring of fine tuning interaction effects. These essential advantages of the present new realization open the door to explore exotic quantum many-body effects and non-equilibrium dynamics with novel topology.

6 pages, 4 figures