Publication Date

2-24-2025

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Physics Condensed Matter

Volume

37

Issue

8

DOI

10.1088/1361-648X/ad9658

Abstract

Symmetries play a crucial role in understanding phases of matter and the transitions between them. Theoretical investigations of quantum models with SU(N) symmetry have provided important insights into many-body phenomena. However, these models have generally remained a theoretical idealization, since it is very difficult to exactly realize the SU(N) symmetry in conventional quantum materials for large N. Intriguingly however, in recent years, ultracold alkaline-earth-atom (AEA) quantum simulators have paved the path to realize SU(N)-symmetric many-body models, where N is tunable and can be as large as 10. This symmetry emerges due to the closed shell structure of AEAs, thereby leading to a perfect decoupling of the electronic degrees of freedom from the nuclear spin. In this work, we provide a systematic review of recent theoretical and experimental work on the many-body physics of these systems. We first discuss the thermodynamic properties and collective modes of trapped Fermi gases, highlighting the enhanced interaction effects that appear as N increases. We then discuss the properties of the SU(N) Fermi-Hubbard model, focusing on some of the major experimental achievements in this area. We conclude with a compendium highlighting some of the significant theoretical progress on SU(N) lattice models and a discussion of some exciting directions for future research.

Funding Number

SRG/2023/002730

Funding Sponsor

U.S. Department of Energy

Keywords

quantum simulation, SU(N) many-body models, ultracold alkaline-earth atoms

Comments

This is the version of the article before peer review or editing, as submitted by an author to Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter.  IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it.  The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/ad9658

Department

Physics and Astronomy

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