Abstract
Spin-Orbit (SO) coupling, as a fundamental quantum effect, is an essential ingredient in many topological phases of quantum matters, like topological insulator and topological semiconductor. To synthesize high-dimensional (2D or higher) SO coupling with ultracold quantum gases is one of the keys for studying topological quantum matters in the field of quantum simulation. We report here the realization of a robust and highly controllable 2D SO coupling with topological non-trivial band structure. By applying a retro-reflected 2D optical lattice, the synthesized 2D SO coupling has precise inversion and C4 symmetries. The non-trivial band topology of the 2D SO coupling are precisely addressed by both equilibrium and non-equilibrium processes. By applying the quantum quench dynamics along each spin axis, the dynamical bulk-ring correspondence of the topological quantum matter is well demonstrated, and topological charges are also observed from the the post-quench evolution of the spin texture. Our studies open the new avenue in quantum simulation to explore exotic topological matters with non-equilibrium dynamics.
References:
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