Exotic Superfluid Phases in Spin-Polarized Fermi Gases in Optical Lattices

Leveraging cutting-edge numerical methodologies, we study the ground state of the two-dimensional spin-polarized Fermi gas in an optical lattice. We focus on systems at high density and small spin polarization, corresponding to the parameter regime believed to be most favorable to the formation of the elusive Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) superfluid phase. Our systematic study of large lattice sizes, hosting nearly 500 atoms, provides strong evidence of the stability of the FFLO state in this regime, as well as a high-accuracy characterization of its properties. Our results for the density correlation function reveal the existence of density order in the system, suggesting the possibility of an intricate coexistence of long-range orders in the ground state. The ground-state properties are seen to differ significantly from the standard mean-field description, providing a compelling avenue for future theoretical and experimental explorations of the interplay between spin imbalance, strong interactions, and superfluidity in an exotic phase of matter.

Automated summary

By leveraging cutting-edge numerical methodologies, this study investigates the ground state and properties of a two-dimensional spin-polarized Fermi gas in an optical lattice. The results provide strong evidence of the stability of the elusive Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) superfluid phase, and show the existence of density order in the system, suggesting the possibility of an intricate coexistence of long-range orders in the ground state. The study also points out significant differences between the ground-state properties and the standard mean-field description, providing a compelling avenue for future theoretical and experimental explorations of spin imbalance, strong interactions, and superfluidity in this exotic phase of matter.