Implementing a Bose-Hubbard model of matter-wave polaritons

Recent experiments on matter-wave emission in a state-dependent optical lattice [1] provide novel features for dressing atoms. Here we present the realization of a Bose-Hubbard model of lattice-trapped atoms that are coherently coupled to the matter-wave vacuum, thus forming a system of quasiparticles with polaritonic character.  We explore the many-body properties of these polaritons, including renormalization of hopping and interactions, and observe the quantum phase transition between a superfluid and the Mott insulator.

[1] L. Krinner, et al., Nature 559, 598 (2018); M. Stewart, et al, Phys. Rev. Research 2, 043307 (2020).