2025/09/03 by Leonardo Bellinato Giacomelli, Thomas Bland, Giacomelli, Leonardo Bellinato +9 · 1 voice
Physics and Astronomy · #Topological Materials and Phenomena #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Quantum many-body systems
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/s41467-026-71248-8
Strongly interacting fermions represent the key constituent of several intriguing phases of matter. However, due to the inherent complexity of these systems, important regimes are still inaccessible. Here, we derive a realistic and flexible setup based on ultracold magnetic lanthanide atoms trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice. Leveraging their large magnetic moments, we design a fermionic t-J model with independently tunable hopping, spin-spin couplings, and onsite interaction. Through combined analytical and numerical analysis, we uncover a variety of many-body quantum phases-including superconducting and topological states. Crucially, in the regime of attractive onsite interaction, we reveal that topology and superconductivity coexist, thus giving rise to an exotic state of matter: a topological triplet superconductor. We also outline a practical protocol to prepare and detect all discovered phases using current experimental techniques. Our results establish an alternative and powerful route for a deeper understanding of strongly interacting fermionic quantum matter.