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Topology meets superconductivity in a one-dimensional t-J model of magnetic atoms

Bellinato Giacomelli, Leonardo ; Bland, Thomas LU orcid ; Lafforgue, Louis ; Ferlaino, Francesca ; Mark, Manfred J. and Barbiero, Luca (2026) In Nature Communications 17(1).
Abstract

Strongly interacting fermions represent the key constituent of several intriguing phases of matter. However, due to the inherent complexity of these systems, important regimes are still inaccessible. Here, we derive a realistic and flexible setup based on ultracold magnetic lanthanide atoms trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice. Leveraging their large magnetic moments, we design a fermionic t–J model with independently tunable hopping, spin-spin couplings, and onsite interaction. Through combined analytical and numerical analysis, we uncover a variety of many-body quantum phases–including superconducting and topological states. Crucially, in the regime of attractive onsite interaction, we reveal that topology and... (More)

Strongly interacting fermions represent the key constituent of several intriguing phases of matter. However, due to the inherent complexity of these systems, important regimes are still inaccessible. Here, we derive a realistic and flexible setup based on ultracold magnetic lanthanide atoms trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice. Leveraging their large magnetic moments, we design a fermionic t–J model with independently tunable hopping, spin-spin couplings, and onsite interaction. Through combined analytical and numerical analysis, we uncover a variety of many-body quantum phases–including superconducting and topological states. Crucially, in the regime of attractive onsite interaction, we reveal that topology and superconductivity coexist, thus giving rise to an exotic state of matter: a topological triplet superconductor. We also outline a practical protocol to prepare and detect all discovered phases using current experimental techniques. Our results establish an alternative and powerful route for a deeper understanding of strongly interacting fermionic quantum matter.

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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Nature Communications
volume
17
issue
1
article number
5328
publisher
Nature Publishing Group
external identifiers
  • pmid:41997898
  • scopus:105041933919
ISSN
2041-1723
DOI
10.1038/s41467-026-71248-8
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
45bab044-33dd-4561-a65a-a227e53ad322
date added to LUP
2026-08-28 12:11:34
date last changed
2026-08-29 03:00:02
@article{45bab044-33dd-4561-a65a-a227e53ad322,
  abstract     = {{<p>Strongly interacting fermions represent the key constituent of several intriguing phases of matter. However, due to the inherent complexity of these systems, important regimes are still inaccessible. Here, we derive a realistic and flexible setup based on ultracold magnetic lanthanide atoms trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice. Leveraging their large magnetic moments, we design a fermionic t–J model with independently tunable hopping, spin-spin couplings, and onsite interaction. Through combined analytical and numerical analysis, we uncover a variety of many-body quantum phases–including superconducting and topological states. Crucially, in the regime of attractive onsite interaction, we reveal that topology and superconductivity coexist, thus giving rise to an exotic state of matter: a topological triplet superconductor. We also outline a practical protocol to prepare and detect all discovered phases using current experimental techniques. Our results establish an alternative and powerful route for a deeper understanding of strongly interacting fermionic quantum matter.</p>}},
  author       = {{Bellinato Giacomelli, Leonardo and Bland, Thomas and Lafforgue, Louis and Ferlaino, Francesca and Mark, Manfred J. and Barbiero, Luca}},
  issn         = {{2041-1723}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Nature Publishing Group}},
  series       = {{Nature Communications}},
  title        = {{Topology meets superconductivity in a one-dimensional t-J model of magnetic atoms}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71248-8}},
  doi          = {{10.1038/s41467-026-71248-8}},
  volume       = {{17}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}