1207.5768 (Heike Schwager et al.)

Dissipative spin chains: Implementation with cold atoms and steady-state
properties    [PDF]

Heike Schwager, J. Ignacio Cirac, Géza Giedke

We propose a quantum optical implementation of a class of dissipative spin systems, including the XXZ and Ising model, with ultra-cold atoms in optical lattices. Detuned Raman transitions in the Lamb-Dicke regime enable engineerable dissipation and a tunable transversal magnetic field. This system is an ideal testbed for studying steady-state dynamics of dissipative spin models. For small spin chains and weak dissipation, steady-state expectation values show pronounced peaks at certain critical system parameters. We show that this effect is related to degeneracies in the Hamiltonian and derive a sufficient condition for its occurrence.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1207.5768