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Moving out of Equilibrium

Atoms are arranged in a checkerboard double-well optical lattice (two interleaved sublattices yield a checkerboard geometry). The colors, yellow and blue, denote different magnetic spin states. By altering the relative depth of the sublattices, the researchers can create desired magnetic order and drive dynamics between lattice wells. Graphic E. Edwards/JQI

Physicists at the Joint Quantum Institute, led by Trey Porto, studied a nonequilibrium system of ultracold87Rb atoms in a two-dimensional optical lattice. Their work was published in the journal Science.