Showing papers in "Advances in Physics in 2018"
TL;DR: In this article, a thermoelectric generator is used to directly convert heat into electricity, which holds great promise for tackling the ever-increasing energy sustainability issue in the future.
Abstract: Thermoelectric generators, capable of directly converting heat into electricity, hold great promise for tackling the ever-increasing energy sustainability issue. The thermoelectric energy conversio...
351 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the physics of topological quantum matter with cold atoms is discussed. But the authors focus on the simulation of the topological invariants and the methods to control parameters in the Hamiltonians of neutral atoms.
Abstract: This is an introductory review of the physics of topological quantum matter with cold atoms. Topological quantum phases, originally discovered and investigated in condensed matter physics, have recently been explored in a range of different systems, which produced both fascinating physics findings and exciting opportunities for applications. Among the physical systems that have been considered to realize and probe these intriguing phases, ultracold atoms become promising platforms due to their high flexibility and controllability. Quantum simulation of topological phases with cold atomic gases is a rapidly evolving field, and recent theoretical and experimental developments reveal that some toy models originally proposed in condensed matter physics have been realized with this artificial quantum system. The purpose of this article is to introduce these developments. The article begins with a tutorial review of topological invariants and the methods to control parameters in the Hamiltonians of neutral atom...
195 citations
TL;DR: The discovery of magnetism by the ancient Greeks was enabled by the natural occurrence of lodestone, a magnetized version of the mineral magnetite as discussed by the authors, which is a type of magnetite.
Abstract: The discovery of magnetism by the ancient Greeks was enabled by the natural occurrence of lodestone – a magnetized version of the mineral magnetite. Nowadays, natural minerals continue to inspire t...
54 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the power of symmetry as a resource to manipulate quantum transport and apply these resources to quantum systems is reviewed and applied to many promising quantum technologies, including quantum teleportation.
Abstract: Controlling transport in quantum systems holds the key to many promising quantum technologies. Here we review the power of symmetry as a resource to manipulate quantum transport and apply these ide...
40 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of recent advances in experimental and theoretical work on quantum experiments that will be able to probe relativistic effects of gravity on quantum properties is presented, emphasizing the importance of using the framework of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime (QFTCS) in describing these experiments.
Abstract: At the beginning of the previous century, Newtonian mechanics was advanced by two new revolutionary theories, Quantum Mechanics (QM) and General Relativity (GR). Both theories have transformed our view of physical phenomena, with QM accurately predicting the results of experiments taking place at small length scales, and GR correctly describing observations at larger length scales. However, despite the impressive predictive power of each theory in their respective regimes, their unification still remains unresolved. Theories and proposals for their unification exist but we are lacking experimental guidance towards the true unifying theory. Probing GR at small length scales where quantum effects become relevant is particularly problematic but recently there has been a growing interest in probing the opposite regime, QM at large scales where relativistic effects are important. This is principally because experimental techniques in quantum physics have developed rapidly in recent years with the promise of quantum technologies. Here we review recent advances in experimental and theoretical work on quantum experiments that will be able to probe relativistic effects of gravity on quantum properties. In particular, we emphasise the importance of using the framework of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime (QFTCS) in describing these experiments. For example, recent theoretical work using QFTCS has illustrated that these quantum experiments could also be used to enhance measurements of gravitational effects, such as Gravitational Waves (GWs). Verification of such enhancements, as well as other QFTCS predictions in quantum experiments, would provide the first direct validation of this limiting case of quantum gravity.
32 citations