Topological Molecules and Topological Localization of a Rydberg Electron on a Classical Orbit

Abstract

It is common knowledge that atoms can form molecules if they attract each other. Here, we show that it is possible to create molecules where bound states of the atoms are not the result of attractive interactions but have the topological origin. That is, the bound states of the atoms correspond to the topologically protected edge states of a topological model. Such topological molecules can be realized if the interaction strength between ultra-cold atoms is properly modulated in time. A similar mechanism allows one to realize topologically protected localization of an electron on a classical orbit if a Rydberg atom is perturbed by a properly modulated microwave field.

5 pages, 3 figures + supplemental materials, improved version

References in corpus (7)

• Non-Abelian Anyons and Topological Quantum Computation
• Topological Bands for Ultracold Atoms
• Time crystal platform: from quasi-crystal structures in time to systems with exotic interactions
• Condensed Matter Physics in Time Crystals
• Anderson localization and Mott insulator phase in the time domain
• Topological Time Crystals
• Anderson Molecules