Experimental Observation of Momentum-Space Chiral Edge Currents in Room-Temperature Atoms

Abstract

Chiral edge currents play an important role in characterizing topological matter. In atoms, they have been observed at such a low temperature that the atomic motion can be measured. Here we report the first experimental observation of chiral edge currents in atoms at room temperature. Staggered magnetic fluxes are induced by the spatial phase difference between two standing-wave light fields, which couple atoms to form a momentum-space zigzag superradiance lattice. The chiral edge currents are measured by comparing the directional superradiant emissions of two timed Dicke states in the lattice. Our results pave the way for simulating topological physics in hot atoms.