The physics of many-body systems strongly depends on their dimensionality. With the realization of quantum wells for example, it has been possible to produce two-dimensional gases of electrons, which exhibit properties that differ dramatically from the standard three-dimensional case. During the last decade, a novel environment has been developed for the study of quantum physics in low dimension. It consists of cold atomic gases confined in tailor-made light traps, forming a thin layer of material particles. In this talk I will present some key aspects of these 2D gases, such as quasi-long range coherence and superfluidity. I will also discuss out-of-equilibrium features, like the nucleation of random currents, and explain the crucial role of topology for understanding the properties of these quantum two-dimensional systems.

Argonne Physics Division Colloquium Schedule