Cold Atoms and Atomtronics

Seminar 1 (July 18th, 12:00, C3b/002 UAB):

Objective: Introductory talk to cold atoms quantum technologies and how it connects with the Atomtronics field

Title: Introduction to Cold Atoms and Atomtronics: Matter-Wave Circuits for Quantum Technologies

Abstract: The study of ultracold atoms has revolutionized quantum science, providing a highly controllable platform to explore fundamental physics and develop next-generation quantum technologies. Among the many exciting directions in this field, atomtronics has emerged as a novel approach to manipulating ultracold atoms in matter-wave circuits, enabling new insights into quantum transport and offering promising applications. In this talk, I will introduce the principles of cold atom physics and its connection to atomtronics, highlighting the key experimental techniques used to realize matter-wave circuits. I will discuss the behavior of matter-waves in simple circuit architectures such as ring traps and two-terminal systems, outlining key experimental observations and open questions. Finally, I will explore the potential of atomtronic systems for quantum technologies, including precision sensing with atom interferometry, quantum simulation, and future quantum computing architectures. This talk aims to provide a broad yet accessible introduction to this rapidly evolving field, bridging fundamental research with emerging applications in quantum technology.

Duration: 1h

Seminar 2 (July 21st, 12:00, C3b/002 UAB):

Objective: Introduce our topics of research and give a starting point for discussions on future projects

Title: Persistent currents: fractional quantization in atomtronic circuits

Abstract: Atomtronics aims to develop original and advanced hardware for quantum technologies using the natural properties of ultracold atoms. Progress in cold atoms technology has recently made it possible to explore circuits in which the quantum fluid consists of multi-component bosonic/fermionic systems. In the talk, I will discuss one of the main building blocks of atomtronics, a quantum gas trapped in a ring shape geometry. I will focus on our recent studies on the behavior of persistent currents in multicomponent ultracold atomic systems. We primarily focus on the characterization of the persistent current behavior at different interaction regimes. In addition, we build a comprehensive understanding of the states that correspond to the fractionalized angular momenta per particle of the system. The readout of interference patterns is also analyzed through time-of-flight expansion to gain deeper insights into the inner mechanism behind fractionalization and its manifestation in these interferograms, focusing on the limits of zero and strong interactions. Our findings provide valuable information about the phenomena of angular momentum fractionalization in multicomponent ultracold atomic systems. This study can bring new avenues in the field, expanding the interests of current states beyond the single component Bose gases or the recently observed persistent current in two component fermionic systems.

Duration: 1h

Bio:

Dr Polo obtained his PhD in Physics in 2016 from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain. After completing his thesis, he later received the Special Award for Doctoral Studies. Between 2016 and 2018 he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the LPMMC, in Grenoble, France. Afterwards, he joined the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan as a postdoctoral scholar, where he was awarded of the JSPS Kakenhi Grant as PI for financing his own research project.

His area of expertise are quantum systems, particularly ultracold atomic gases. He has investigated Bose gases using mean-field theories as well as strongly interacting systems in the continuum and in optical lattices, with a specific focus on finding new applications for quantum technologies.