Quantum simulator for the hubbard model with long-range coulomb interactions using surface acoustic waves

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Jul 6;99(1):016405. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.016405. Epub 2007 Jul 6.

Abstract

An experimental scheme for a quantum simulator of strongly correlated electrons is proposed. Our scheme employs electrons confined in a two-dimensional electron gas in a GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction. Two surface acoustic waves are then induced in the substrate, creating a two-dimensional "egg-carton" potential. The dynamics of the electrons in this potential are described by a Hubbard model with long-range Coulomb interactions. Estimates of the Hubbard parameters suggest that observations of quantum phase transition phenomena are within experimental reach.