The ‘Higgs’ amplitude mode at the two-dimensional superfluid/Mott insulator transition

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 487; no. 7408; pp. 454 - 458
• Main Authors: Endres, Manuel, Fukuhara, Takeshi, Pekker, David, Cheneau, Marc, Schauβ, Peter, Gross, Christian, Demler, Eugene, Kuhr, Stefan, Bloch, Immanuel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 26.07.2012; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/766/419; 639/766/483; Amplitudes; Broken symmetry; Condensed Matter; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Electron states; Exact sciences and technology; Excitation; Experiments; Field theory; Fluids; Gases; Higgs bosons; Humanities and Social Sciences; letter; Mathematical models; Metal-insulator transitions and other electronic transitions; Methods; multidisciplinary; Particle physics; Phase transitions; Physics; Quantum field theory; Quantum Gases; Relativity (Physics); Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Spectrum analysis; Spontaneous; Studies; Superfluidity; Symmetry; Theoretical analysis; Theory; Two dimensional; United States; Germany; Quantum phase transition; Weak interactions; Strong interactions; Mott insulating; Spontaneous symmetry breaking; Goldstone mode; Two dimensional model; Mott transition; Superfluidity; Soft modes

A ‘Higgs’ mode, signifying the breaking of a continuous symmetry in a model with emergent Lorentz invariance, is found close to the transition to the Mott insulating phase in a two-dimensional neutral superfluid. Higgs excitation in a different guise In relativistic quantum field theory, a broken co...