Cold atoms in u(3) gauge potentials

Abstract

We explore the effects of artificial U(3) gauge potentials on ultracold atoms. We study background gauge fields with both non-constant and constant Wilson loops around plaquettes, obtaining the energy spectra in each case. The scenario of metal–insulator transition for irrational fluxes is also examined. Finally, we discuss the effect of such a gauge potential on the superfluid–insulator transition for bosonic ultracold atoms.