2007/03/31 by Shi-Liang Zhu, Baigeng Wang, L. -M. Duan · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.mtrl-sci
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.98.260402
published as Phys. Rev. Lett 98, 260402 (2007) · 4 pages; Published version
arxiv created 2007/07/15 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
We propose an experimental scheme to simulate and observe relativistic Dirac fermions with cold atoms in a hexagonal optical lattice. By controlling the lattice anisotropy, one can realize both massive and massless Dirac fermions and observe the phase transition between them. Through explicit calculations, we show that both the Bragg spectroscopy and the atomic density profile in a trap can be used to demonstrate the Dirac fermions and the associated phase transition.