Tunable Single-Ion Anisotropy in Spin-1 Models Realized with Ultracold Atoms

Mott insulator plateaus in optical lattices are a versatile platform to study spin physics. Using sites occupied by two bosons with an internal degree of freedom, we realize a uniaxial single-ion anisotropy term proportional to (S-z)(2) that plays an important role in stabilizing magnetism for low-dimensional magnetic materials. Here we explore nonequilibrium spin dynamics and observe a resonant effect in the spin alignment as a function of lattice depth when exchange coupling and on-site anisotropy are similar. Our results are supported by many-body numerical simulations and are captured by the analytical solution of a two-site model.

Automated summary

This study explores nonequilibrium spin dynamics in Mott insulator plateaus, observing a resonant effect in spin alignment as lattice depth changes when exchange coupling and on-site anisotropy are similar. The results are supported by many-body numerical simulations and analytical solutions of a two-site model. The research demonstrates the importance of a uniaxial single-ion anisotropy term in stabilizing magnetism for low-dimensional magnetic materials in optical lattices.