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In-situ Observation of Magnetostriction Crossover in a Strongly Dipolar Two-Dimensional Bose Gas
Authors:
Yifei He,
Xin-Yuan Gao,
Haoting Zhen,
Mithilesh K. Parit,
Yangqian Yan,
Gyu-Boong Jo
Abstract:
Magnetostriction, the anisotropic spatial deformation, is a hallmark of dipolar gases with strong long-range interactions, yet it poses a challenge for in-situ characterization. Here, we observe a magnetostriction crossover from the strongly anisotropic superfluid phase to the nearly isotropic normal phase using in-situ imaging of quasi-two-dimensional 166Er gases. Then, we develop a quasi-2D Hart…
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Magnetostriction, the anisotropic spatial deformation, is a hallmark of dipolar gases with strong long-range interactions, yet it poses a challenge for in-situ characterization. Here, we observe a magnetostriction crossover from the strongly anisotropic superfluid phase to the nearly isotropic normal phase using in-situ imaging of quasi-two-dimensional 166Er gases. Then, we develop a quasi-2D Hartree-Fock-mean-field framework that provides a robust tool for interaction-aware thermometry, enabling the determination of temperature and chemical potential across all dipole orientations from a single fit. We further demonstrate that the low-density wings effectively obey a local-density equation of state. Finally, we reveals the crossover from the isotropic thermal wings to the anisotropic coherent core in a single in-situ image, providing a pathway for future accurate studies of strongly dipolar superfluidity and thermodynamics in 2D.
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Submitted 8 April, 2026;
originally announced April 2026.
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Dipolar quantum gases: from 3D to Low dimensions
Authors:
Yifei He,
Haoting Zhen,
Gyu-Boong Jo
Abstract:
Dipolar quantum gases, encompassing atoms and molecules with significant dipole moments, exhibit unique long-range and anisotropic dipole-dipole interactions (DDI), distinguishing them from systems dominated by short-range contact interactions. This review explores their behavior across dimensions, focusing on magnetic atoms in quasi-2D in comparison to 3D. In 3D, strong DDI leads to phenomena lik…
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Dipolar quantum gases, encompassing atoms and molecules with significant dipole moments, exhibit unique long-range and anisotropic dipole-dipole interactions (DDI), distinguishing them from systems dominated by short-range contact interactions. This review explores their behavior across dimensions, focusing on magnetic atoms in quasi-2D in comparison to 3D. In 3D, strong DDI leads to phenomena like anisotropic superfluidity, quantum droplets stabilized by Lee-Huang-Yang corrections, and supersolid states with density modulations. In 2D, we discuss a new scenario where DDI induces angle-dependent Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless transitions and potential supersolidity, as suggested by recent experimental realizations of strongly dipolar systems in quasi-2D geometries. We identify key challenges for future experimental and theoretical work on strongly dipolar 2D systems. The review concludes by highlighting how these unique 2D dipolar systems could advance fundamental research as well as simulate novel physical phenomena.
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Submitted 16 December, 2025;
originally announced December 2025.
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Observation of a supersolid stripe state in two-dimensional dipolar gases
Authors:
Yifei He,
Haoting Zhen,
Mithilesh K. Parit,
Mingchen Huang,
Nicolò Defenu,
Jordi Boronat,
Juan Sánchez-Baena,
Gyu-Boong Jo
Abstract:
Fluctuations typically destroy long-range order in two-dimensional (2D) systems, posing a fundamental challenge to the existence of exotic states like supersolids, which paradoxically combine solid-like structure with frictionless superfluid flow. While long-predicted, the definitive observation of a 2D supersolid has remained an outstanding experimental goal. Here, we report the observation of a…
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Fluctuations typically destroy long-range order in two-dimensional (2D) systems, posing a fundamental challenge to the existence of exotic states like supersolids, which paradoxically combine solid-like structure with frictionless superfluid flow. While long-predicted, the definitive observation of a 2D supersolid has remained an outstanding experimental goal. Here, we report the observation of a supersolid stripe phase in a strongly dipolar quantum gas of erbium atoms confined to 2D. We directly image the periodic density modulation, confirming its global phase coherence through matter-wave interference and demonstrating its phase rigidity relevant to the low-energy Goldstone mode, consistent with numerical calculations. Through collective excitation measurements, we demonstrate the hydrodynamic behavior of the supersolid. This work highlights a novel mechanism for supersolid formation in low dimensions, and opens the door for future research on the intricate interplay between temperature, supersolidity, and dimensionality.
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Submitted 15 December, 2025;
originally announced December 2025.
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Coexistence of near-EF van Hove singularity and in-gap topological Dirac surface states in superconducting electrides
Authors:
Yin Yang,
Peihan Sun,
Ye Shen,
Zhijun Tu,
Pengcheng Ma,
Hongrun Zhen,
Tianqi Wang,
Longli Tian,
Tian Cui,
Hechang Lei,
Kai Liu,
Zhonghao Liu
Abstract:
Superconducting electrides have attracted growing attention for their potential to achieve high superconducting transition temperatures (TC) under pressure. However, many known electrides are chemically reactive and unstable, making high-quality single-crystal growth, characterization, and measurements difficult, and most do not exhibit superconductivity at ambient pressure. In contrast, La3In sta…
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Superconducting electrides have attracted growing attention for their potential to achieve high superconducting transition temperatures (TC) under pressure. However, many known electrides are chemically reactive and unstable, making high-quality single-crystal growth, characterization, and measurements difficult, and most do not exhibit superconductivity at ambient pressure. In contrast, La3In stands out for its ambient-pressure superconductivity (TC ~ 9.4 K) and the availability of high-quality single crystals. Here, we investigate its low-energy electronic structure using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and first-principles calculations. The bands near the Fermi energy are mainly derived from La 5d and In 5p orbitals. A saddle point is directly observed at the Brillouin zone (BZ) boundary, while a three-dimensional van Hove singularity crosses EF at the BZ corner. First-principles calculations further reveal topological Dirac surface states within the bulk energy gap above EF. The coexistence of a high density of states and in-gap topological surface states near EF suggests that La3In offers a promising platform for tuning superconductivity and exploring possible topological superconducting phases through doping or external pressure.
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Submitted 28 November, 2025;
originally announced November 2025.
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Unveiling the BEC-droplet transition with Rayleigh superradiant scattering
Authors:
Mithilesh K. Parit,
Mingchen Huang,
Ziting Chen,
Yifei He,
Haoting Zhen,
Gyu-Boong Jo
Abstract:
Light scattering plays an essential role in uncovering the properties of quantum states through light-matter interactions. Here, we explore the transition from Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) to droplets in a dipolar $^{166}$Er gas by employing superradiant light scattering as both a probing and controlling tool. We observe that the efficiency of superradiant scattering exhibits a non-monotonic beh…
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Light scattering plays an essential role in uncovering the properties of quantum states through light-matter interactions. Here, we explore the transition from Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) to droplets in a dipolar $^{166}$Er gas by employing superradiant light scattering as both a probing and controlling tool. We observe that the efficiency of superradiant scattering exhibits a non-monotonic behavior akin to the rate of sample expansion during the transition, signaling its sensitivity to the initial quantum state, and in turn, revealing the BEC-droplet transition. Through controlled atom depletion via superradiance, we analyze the sample's expansion dynamics and aspect ratio to identify the BEC-droplet phases distinctly, supported by Gaussian variational ansatz calculations. Finally, using these two approaches, we track how the BEC-droplet transition points shift under varying magnetic field orientations. Our work opens new avenues for studying quantum states through superradiance, advancing our understanding of both the BEC-droplet crossover and its coherence properties.
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Submitted 24 October, 2025;
originally announced October 2025.
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Breaking of scale invariance in a strongly dipolar 2D Bose gas
Authors:
Haoting Zhen,
Yifei He,
Sampriti Saha,
Mithilesh K. Parit,
Mingchen Huang,
Nicolò Defenu,
Gyu-Boong Jo
Abstract:
Two-dimensional (2D) dipolar atomic gases present unique opportunities for exploring novel quantum phases due to their anisotropic and long-range interactions. However, the behavior of strongly dipolar Bose gases in 2D remains unclear, especially when dipoles are tilted. Here, we demonstrate the creation and characterization of strongly dipolar 2D condensates in a quasi-2D harmonic trap with tunab…
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Two-dimensional (2D) dipolar atomic gases present unique opportunities for exploring novel quantum phases due to their anisotropic and long-range interactions. However, the behavior of strongly dipolar Bose gases in 2D remains unclear, especially when dipoles are tilted. Here, we demonstrate the creation and characterization of strongly dipolar 2D condensates in a quasi-2D harmonic trap with tunable dipole orientation. By investigating scale invariance properties through breathing collective mode measurements, we observe significant breaking of scale invariance when dipoles are tilted in-plane indicating the dominance of the nonlocal dipole-dipole interactions (DDIs) in this regime. Interestingly, the breaking of the scale invariant dynamics is accompanied by an increase in quantum fluctuations, as shown by comparison with mean-field and beyond mean-field theoretical studies. Our experiments also reveal that at critical tilt angles around 70°, stripe-type density modulations emerge, suggesting the presence of a roton spectrum in 2D, while the system still shows hydrodynamic nature with the phase-locking breathing behavior. This observation elucidates the many-body effect induced by DDIs in 2D, thus marking a crucial step toward realizing 2D supersolids and other exotic quantum phases.
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Submitted 24 October, 2025; v1 submitted 15 October, 2025;
originally announced October 2025.
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Electrostatic gate-controlled quantum interference in a high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas at the (La$_{0.3}$Sr$_{0.7}$)(Al$_{0.65}$Ta$_{0.35}$)O$_3$/SrTiO$_3$ interface
Authors:
Km Rubi,
Kun Han,
Huang Zhen,
Michel Goiran,
Duncan K. Maude,
Walter Escoffier,
A. Ariando
Abstract:
We report quantum oscillations in magnetoresistance that are periodic in magnetic field ($B$), observed at the interface between (La$_{0.3}$Sr$_{0.7}$)(Al$_{0.65}$Ta$_{0.35}$)O$_3$ and SrTiO$_3$. Unlike Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations, which appear at magnetic fields $ > 7$ T and diminish quickly as the temperature rises, these $B$-periodic oscillations emerge at low fields and persist up to 10 K.…
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We report quantum oscillations in magnetoresistance that are periodic in magnetic field ($B$), observed at the interface between (La$_{0.3}$Sr$_{0.7}$)(Al$_{0.65}$Ta$_{0.35}$)O$_3$ and SrTiO$_3$. Unlike Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations, which appear at magnetic fields $ > 7$ T and diminish quickly as the temperature rises, these $B$-periodic oscillations emerge at low fields and persist up to 10 K. Their amplitude decays exponentially with both temperature and field, specifying dephasing of quantum interference. Increasing the carrier density through electrostatic gating results in a systematic reduction in both the amplitude and frequency of the oscillations, with complete suppression beyond a certain gate voltage. We attribute these oscillations to the Altshuler-Aronov-Spivak effect, likely arising from naturally formed closed-loop paths due to the interconnected quasi-one-dimensional conduction channels along SrTiO$_3$ domain walls. The relatively long phase coherence length ($\sim$ 1.8 $μ$m at 0.1 K), estimated from the oscillation amplitude, highlights the potential of complex oxide interfaces as a promising platform for exploring quantum interference effects and advancing device concepts in quantum technologies, such as mesoscopic interferometers and quantum sensors.
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Submitted 13 February, 2026; v1 submitted 12 August, 2025;
originally announced August 2025.
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Interstitial anionic electrons involved superconductivity and T-linear resistivity behavior in electride La3In
Authors:
Zhijun Tu,
Peihan Sun,
Pengcheng Ma,
Hongrun Zhen,
Shangjie Tian,
Shouguo Wang,
Tian Cui,
Zhonghao Liu,
Kai Liu,
Hechang Lei
Abstract:
Electrides are unique materials because of the existence of interstitial anionic electrons (IAEs). Due to these loosely bound IAEs and their strong interaction with the framework of cations, electrides can host superconductivity with rather high Tc, especially under high pressure, as predicted in theory. However, the experimental observations of superconductivity in electrides are very rare, let a…
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Electrides are unique materials because of the existence of interstitial anionic electrons (IAEs). Due to these loosely bound IAEs and their strong interaction with the framework of cations, electrides can host superconductivity with rather high Tc, especially under high pressure, as predicted in theory. However, the experimental observations of superconductivity in electrides are very rare, let alone the detailed studies on intrinsic properties of single crystals. Here, we report the superconducting and normal-state properties of electride La3In single crystals. La3In shows a type-II superconductivity with Tc ~ 9.4 K and a T-linear resistivity in a wide temperature range. Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations suggest that the relatively high Tc could be ascribed to the high density of states around the Fermi level caused by short flat bands along R-M direction and the strong electron-phonon coupling, partially derived from the IAEs. Meanwhile, the T-linear resistivity may reflect the significant electronic correlation effect in this material. These findings will shed light on understanding the role of IAEs in superconductivity and open a promising way to explore high-temperature superconductors in electrides.
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Submitted 14 October, 2024;
originally announced October 2024.
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Exploring the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless Transition in a Two-dimensional Dipolar Bose Gas
Authors:
Yifei He,
Ziting Chen,
Haoting Zhen,
Mingchen Huang,
Mithilesh K Parit,
Gyu-Boong Jo
Abstract:
Long-range and anisotropic dipolar interactions induce complex order in quantum systems. It becomes particularly interesting in two-dimension (2D), where the superfluidity with quasi-long-range order emerges via Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) mechanism, which still remains elusive with dipolar interactions. Here, we observe the BKT transition from a normal gas to the superfluid phase in a q…
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Long-range and anisotropic dipolar interactions induce complex order in quantum systems. It becomes particularly interesting in two-dimension (2D), where the superfluidity with quasi-long-range order emerges via Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless (BKT) mechanism, which still remains elusive with dipolar interactions. Here, we observe the BKT transition from a normal gas to the superfluid phase in a quasi-2D dipolar Bose gas of erbium atoms. Controlling the orientation of dipoles, we characterize the transition point by monitoring extended coherence and measuring the equation of state. This allows us to gain a systematic understanding of the BKT transition based on an effective short-range description of dipolar interaction in 2D. Additionally, we observe anisotropic density fluctuations and non-local effects in the superfluid regime, which establishes the dipolar nature of the 2D superfluid. Our results lay the ground for understanding the behavior of dipolar bosons in 2D and open up opportunities for examining complex orders in a dipolar superfluid.
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Submitted 27 March, 2024;
originally announced March 2024.
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Unsupervised prototype learning in an associative-memory network
Authors:
Huiling Zhen,
Shang-Nan Wang,
Hai-Jun Zhou
Abstract:
Unsupervised learning in a generalized Hopfield associative-memory network is investigated in this work. First, we prove that the (generalized) Hopfield model is equivalent to a semi-restricted Boltzmann machine with a layer of visible neurons and another layer of hidden binary neurons, so it could serve as the building block for a multilayered deep-learning system. We then demonstrate that the Ho…
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Unsupervised learning in a generalized Hopfield associative-memory network is investigated in this work. First, we prove that the (generalized) Hopfield model is equivalent to a semi-restricted Boltzmann machine with a layer of visible neurons and another layer of hidden binary neurons, so it could serve as the building block for a multilayered deep-learning system. We then demonstrate that the Hopfield network can learn to form a faithful internal representation of the observed samples, with the learned memory patterns being prototypes of the input data. Furthermore, we propose a spectral method to extract a small set of concepts (idealized prototypes) as the most concise summary or abstraction of the empirical data.
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Submitted 24 July, 2017; v1 submitted 10 April, 2017;
originally announced April 2017.