Finite-Momentum Dimer Bound State in Spin-Orbit Coupled Fermi Gas

ORAL

Abstract

We investigate the two-body properties of a spin-1/2 Fermi gas subject to a spin-orbit coupling induced by laser fields. When attractive $s$-wave interaction between unlike spins is present, the system may form a dimer bound state. Surprisingly, under proper conditions, the bound state obtains finite center-of-mass momentum, whereas under the same condition but in the absence of the two-body interaction, the system has zero total momentum. This unusual result can be regarded as a consequence of the broken Galilean invariance by the spin-orbit coupling. Such a finite-momentum bound state will have profound effects on the many-body properties of the system.

*HP is supported by the NSF, the Welch Foundation (Grant No. C-1669), and DARPA. HH is supported by the ARC Discovery Projects (Grant No. DP0984522) and the National Basic Research Program of China (NFRP-China, Grant No. 2011CB921502).

Authors

  • Lin Dong

    • Rice University
  • Lei Jiang

    • Joint Quantum Institute, University of Maryland and National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Hui Hu

    • ARC Centre of Excellence for Quantum-Atom Optics, Centre for Atom Optics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy, Swinburne University of Technology
  • Han Pu

    • Rice University