Solving the quantum many-body problem via correlations measured with a momentum microscope
Abstract
In quantum many-body theory, all physical observables are described in terms of correlation functions between particle creation/annihilation operators. Measurement of such correlation functions can therefore be regarded as an operational solution to the quantum many-body problem. Here we demonstrate this paradigm by measuring multi-particle momentum correlations up to third order between ultracold helium atoms in an s-wave scattering halo of colliding Bose-Einstein condensates, using a quantum many-body momentum microscope. Our measurements allow us to extract a key building block of all higher-order correlations in this system|the pairing field amplitude. In addition, we demonstrate a record violation of the classical Cauchy-Schwarz inequality for correlated atom pairs and triples. Measuring multi-particle momentum correlations could provide new insights into effects such as unconventional superconductivity and many-body localisation.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1702.03617,
title = {Solving the quantum many-body problem via correlations measured with a momentum microscope},
author = {Sean. S. Hodgman and Roman. I. Khakimov and Robert. J. Lewis-Swan and Andrew. G. Truscott and Karen. V. Kheruntsyan},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1702.03617},
year = {2017}
}
Comments
Final published version, 15 pages, 8 figures and Supplemental Material