Programmable dynamic phase control of a quasiperiodic optical lattice
Phys. Rev. Applied 26, 034016 – Published 8 September, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/z5xd-vqh9
Abstract
The quantum dynamics of quasiperiodic systems display a rich variety of physical behaviors due to the combination of rotational symmetry that is mathematically forbidden in periodic systems, and long-range order despite the lack of translation symmetry. New experimental probes into these dynamics with a quantum simulator, consisting of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice potential, will yield new insights into the physics of quasiperiodic systems. This potential is imbued with the flexibility, tunability, and purity of the individual laser beams that constitute it, allowing for exquisite control over a rich system. Programmable dynamic control over the lattice beam phases opens up an even richer space of achievable systems via Floquet engineering. We thus describe an experimental scheme for creating a programmable, dynamic, two-dimensional quasiperiodic optical lattice with heavily suppressed phase noise. We observe suppression of phase noise for frequency components up to 5 kHz, and report phase noise suppression of over 70 dB over the dc-60 Hz frequency band. We further demonstrate a phase modulation bandwidth of 350 kHz. This scheme allows for full translational and phasonic control of the lattice, including changes to the rotational symmetry of the potential, at speeds exceeding the lattice recoil velocity of lithium, which paves a path toward direct observation and control of quantum dynamics in quasicrystals.
