title: Quantum simulation of frustrated classical magnetism in triangular optical lattices.
abstract: Magnetism plays a key role in modern technology and stimulates research in several branches of condensed matter physics. Although the theory of classical magnetism is well developed, the demonstration of a widely tunable experimental system has remained an elusive goal. Here, we present the realization of a large-scale simulator for classical magnetism on a triangular lattice by exploiting the particular properties of a quantum system. We use the motional degrees of freedom of atoms trapped in an optical lattice to simulate a large variety of magnetic phases: ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and even frustrated spin configurations. A rich phase diagram is revealed with different types of phase transitions. Our results provide a route to study highly debated phases like spin-liquids as well as the dynamics of quantum phase transitions.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Laserphysik, Universität Hamburg, D-22761 Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Struck
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ölschläger
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Le Targat
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Soltan-Panahi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eckardt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lewenstein
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Windpassinger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sengstock