Recent advances in spin-orbit coupled quantum gases

Abstract

Abstract In this topical review, we discuss the recent advances in the study of spin-orbit coupled quantum gases. Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) locks a particle s spin with its momentum and it is one of the key requirements for the creation of novel quantum materials. In contrast to solid-state materials where SOC emerges naturally due to the relativistic effect, ultracold neutral atoms necessitate the synthesis of spin-momentum locking by engineering the quantum state of atoms. Thus we highlight highly tunable synthetic SOCs that are generated in quantum gases of bosonic and fermionic atoms. We provide a brief overview of the experimental development of SOC in various cold-atom settings, with a particular emphasis on SOC for non-alkali atoms and SOC in optical lattices.